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NEW EXHIBIT! |
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ALL ABOARD THE GOLDEN GATE EXPRESS!
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Visit Us |
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Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm (last entry is at 4:30pm)
The Conservatory is closed Mondays.
The Conservatory is open all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and will close at 1:30 pm on Christmas Eve.
Please note that on Sundays and all major holidays, Golden Gate Park closes many of its roads to all vehicle traffic
Information line:
415-831-2090
Admission:
$7.00 for Adults
$5.00 for Youth 12-17, Seniors age 65 & over, and College Students with ID
$2.00 for Children 5-11
Free for Children 4 and under
Discounts available to all San Francisco City and County residents with proof of residency
The Conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
Accessibility:
The Conservatory Of Flowers is wheelchair accessible for both motorized and non motorized chairs. Handicap permit parking is located at the east side of the building and also on John F. Kennedy Drive in front of the Conservatory. Strollers are not allowed in the Conservatory.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Give the gift of taking time to stop and smell the bromeliads...
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Give a Jungle Pass!
ANNUAL PASS
UNLIMITED VISITS
The Jungle Pass admits two adults and two children for unlimited visits to the Conservatory. To purchase your pass, click here.
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| Donate Now! |
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Your donation will help ensure the continued growth and success of this unique educational and historic living museum.
Click here to make a donation through our secure online form. |
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HOLD YOUR SPECIAL EVENT AT THE CONSERVATORY
OF FLOWERS
Weddings, Corporate Events, Children's Birthday Parties... See how our event spaces will work for your private party. Visit the website for more information or contact Event Coordinator Morgan Davis at mdavis@sfcof.org.
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| CONSERVATORY
PARTNERS
Founding Partners |
| Urban Farmer Store
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Dear ,
"What's in your stocking?"
Well, during this time of holiday giving, I have to admit that so many of our wonderful supporters, volunteers and members of the Conservatory of Flowers have been extremely generous and thoughtful of making a very important end-of-the-year gift of support. During these final few weeks of 2009, while I am most grateful for the outpouring of generosity, I have to pause and remember how essential and helpful the countless hours of volunteer time, the invaluable acts of smiling hospitality and bountiful examples of excellent customer service our great team at the Conservatory puts forth.
The 2009 Garden Railway Gala was an outstanding example of an awesome volunteer-led committee creating and presenting a most memorable evening on November 18th at the Conservatory...and with over $40,000 raised to benefit our Youth Education Program! The list can go on and on, but I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have become so involved and supportive of the Conservatory in its 130th year.
Here's to the next decade of growth, success and wonderful memories for us all to experience together...Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year in 2010.
Cheers,
 Brent Dennis
Director
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AN INTERVIEW WITH SPENCER DEBELLA
 Everyone who has returned to the Conservatory over the years, and has been greeted by Spencer as he collects tickets in the Conservatory's entrance, recognizes his commitment to our organization. But he has recently been recognized by the greater public, for his dedication to his job here! Spencer comes to us through the Arc of San Francisco, an organizations whose mission is to serve people with developmental disabilities. The Arc presented its Work Life Award to Spencer at a ceremony in November, for his loyalty to the Conservatory of Flowers, and to recognize his exceptional employment achievements. Morgan Davis, Event and Program Coordinator, took a moment to sit down and get to know him. She shares her interview here:
Morgan: So Spencer, can you tell me what do you do here?
Spencer: I take tickets from the public - I'm the ticket-taker!
Morgan: And how long have you worked at the Conservatory of Flowers?
Spencer: 5 years.
Morgan: In your five years, you've seen a lot of exhibits come and go - do you have a favorite?
Spencer: The butterfly exhibit - it was very nice! But expensive!
Morgan: What is your favorite thing about your job at the Conservatory?
Spencer: I meet people from all over the world. They come, and say hello sometimes! I like that.
Morgan: That must be lovely, to really see people enjoying themselves here. What about you, which gallery do you enjoy the most?
Spencer: I like the Potted Plants area.
Morgan: I like that area too, and the Aquatics.
Spencer: Aquatics is too hot!
Morgan: What about San Francisco, you were born and raised here! What do you enjoy most about it?
Spencer: I enjoy the different seasons, summer and winter, here especially.
Morgan: Do you have any holiday plans that you are looking forward to?
Spencer: I'm looking forward to spending time with my family.
Morgan: Me too! What else do you want to share with our Conservatory Chronicles readers?
Spencer: I just want to say how much I like working here, with such nice people. They treat everybody normal, and its really nice. It's nice to have good people to work with.
Morgan: I couldn't agree more! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today, Spencer! It's a pleasure to work with you! Before I sign off, do you have a favorite flower here?
Spencer: The philodendron, which is the big one in the center of the Lowland Tropics.
Morgan: Wonderful! Thanks again, Spencer.
Well, everyone can come admire the philodendron, when they stop by and say hello to Spencer. Congratulate him on his award, and his 5 years of wonderful service and dedication to the Conservatory! You'll find Spencer has a great view of the philodendron from his seat in the Vestibule, where he'll take your ticket!
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WHAT'S IN BLOOM AT THE CONSERVATORY?
While it's fun to think of the Aquatics Gallery as the repository of all things grotesque, malodorous and ravenous, it also contains a fantastic collection of stunningly beautiful, sweetly scented plants that have no desire at all to devour the visitor. Two of the currently featured plants in the gallery that excel in form, fragrance and functionality are Strophanthus gratus and Ansellia africana.
After many months of producing nothing more than an abundance of glossy green leaves our Strophanthus gratus has finally rewarded our patience with several umbels of rose scented creamy white to maroon blushed flowers. This vine-like tropical West African member of the Apocynaceae is a source for the cardiac drug strophanthin, which is derived from the seeds of this and a few other species. It is also believed to be a cure for venereal diseases, anxiety, stomach complaints and a host of other diverse ailments. The plant enjoys full sun, regular moisture and warm temperatures. It is not without its dark side- the seeds and bark are a source of poison for hunting arrows. Find it behind the bench in the south west corner.
Our new Ansellia africana was recently donated to the conservatory through the generosity of our friends at Orchidmania. This is a perennial epiphytic orchid that is also native to the tropical regions of Africa and blooms during the hot dry winter months. Ansellia is a monotypic genus with only one species and is commonly known as African Ansellia or leopard orchid. Our good sized specimen has produced a mass of sweetly scented greenish yellow flowers. Ansellia africana is known to be a love charm, so please be careful who you choose to visit it with as we can not be held responsible for any results, in that regard. It is also said to ward off lightning strikes and cure bad dreams. It can be found flourishing near the north west corner of the gallery.
Thanks to Mario Vega for his contribution to What's In Bloom! |
IN THE NEWS
Many heartfelt thanks from the Conservatory community to Volunteer Coordinator, Lee Edwards. For four years, Lee has worked to make all of our volunteers feel welcome here at the Conservatory. Best wishes to Lee in her retirement.
Lee pictured here at the Volunteer Holiday Party on December 15th, with volunteers (L-R) Mary Dee Beall, Lee Edwards and her daughter, Susan Slavick, and Judy Fayollat. |
FIND PLANTS BEYOND MISTLETOE!
Find the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for gardeners of all ages and train enthusiasts alike! And Jungle Passes are the perfect gift that keeps on giving. Conservatory and Holiday cards are perfect for holiday invitations and, of course, thank you notes!
The Conservatory of Flowers and Gift Shop close at 1:30 pm on the 24th, and will remain closed on the 25th, reopening on the 26th with regular hours. |
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DISCOVER OUR PARTNERS DURING VACATION!
Where does a chipmunk sleep? What does an eagle feed its young? How do mother bats find their babies in a cave? In Animal Secrets, the show currently on view at Bay Area Discovery Museum, families will learn the answers to these questions and more as they explore the hidden habitats and secret lives of forest animals. Using imaginative role-play and hands-on activities, children will discover nature from an animal's point of view in naturalistic environments, including a stream, meadow, woodland, cave, and naturalists' tent. Visit Animal Secrets through May 9, 2010.
Jungle Pass Members! Bring this newsletter and receive $1 off admission. | |
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