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Issue 72
October 2013

The Conservatory Chronicles
A monthly newsletter for our growing community. 

   

 

Puccini with wings
COF's honorary pooch Puccini models the 
gift shop's butterfly wings

Golden light, crisp air, pumpkins, apples...Fall is here. Come by the Conservatory for some real treats this Halloween! Need a fun last-minute costume? Strap on our gift shop's butterfly wings, just $13.95 for kid size and $16.95 for adults. And if you visit us on October 30 or 31st, be sure your little ones say "trick or treat" in our gift shop; they'll receive a sweet treat AND a free butterfly-attracting seed packet!

 

We've had a great October so far here at the Conservatory. Mixologists and plant-lovers alike enjoyed a wonderful evening with author Amy Stewart on the 3rd, the Quiet Lightning literary collective teamed up with LitQuake to present an evening of varied and delightful readings to a packed house on the 14th, and photographer John Caddell led a special workshop, "The Basics of Bokeh," for a small group of botanical shutterbugs on the 15th.

 

See below for holiday-themed events coming up in the next few weeks, and register to join us! As always, we thank you for your support of the Conservatory of Flowers.

 

Eric Andersen, Director

Ornament Terrarium Workshop with Brandi Chalker
Wednesday, November 13th, 2-4pm 
Purchase tickets HERE.  ($45 General Admission, $35 COF Members)
Terrarium Ornament by Brandi Chalker
  
 
Enjoy an afternoon of succulent planting at the Conservatory, and create your own hip and unique holiday decor to take home!
 
Join us as Brandi Chalker of Sunshine & Succulents leads us in a succulent mini-terrarium ornament workshop. 
 
Each participant will receive 2-3 glass globe ornaments to fill with tiny, lovely succulents, and take home to keep. Don't miss this fun and inspiring afternoon!
Announcing a NEW "Just Add Water" collaboration with Sloat Garden Center
Add some flair to your holiday table this year, at our "make-and-take" centerpiece workshop
Wednesday, November 20, 2-4pm
Purchase tickets HERE.  ($50 General Admission, $40 COF Members)
Centerpiece by Jennie Strobel
Centerpiece by Jennie Strobel

 

Spend a fun and crafty afternoon at the Conservatory making a dramatic centerpiece for your holiday (or everyday!) table, at our Holiday Centerpiece-Making Workshop led by Jennie Strobel of Sloat Garden Center.

 

These unique, non-traditional centerpieces featuring succulents and tillandsias will last for months with proper care. Sloat will provide the base, soil, plants and supplies needed to create your masterpiece. Just bring your holiday spirit! 

 


Event co-sponsored by:
Sloat Garden Center logo  

Protect the Conservatory for future generations. Donate today!
 
Melanie in Lowlands

Drunken Botanist Night at the COF was a hit!
Thursday, October 3rd, 7-9pm 
(This event has already occurred.)
lilletandhendricks
Mark and Amanda of Lillet and Hendricks tempt
partygoers with boozy botanical punch
  

Guests had a lovely time celebrating booze and botanicals on October 3rd, when Amy Stewart presented and signed her brilliant bestselling book, The Drunken Botanist

 

Amanda Victoria of Lillet and Mark Stoddard of Hendrick's Gin were on hand to wet our collective whistles with delicious complimentary botanical cocktails and punch, as Amy described the nationwide resurgence in using fruits, roots, stems, leaves and seeds to make tinctures and bitters, sangrias and herbal concoctions of all varieties. It was a night to remember!

Garden Bloggers Descend on the Conservatory


Garden Bloggers at the COF
The Garden Bloggers in front of the COF
Photo by Saxon Holt

The Conservatory was thrilled recently to host a fabulous group of West Coast garden bloggers. These folks, who blog about their own gardens as well as about public and private gardens in the Northwest and beyond, spent an afternoon touring and photographing our greenhouse, then held a meeting in our private Orchid Gallery meeting space. 

 

And since they are bloggers, we did see some great blog posts come out of this event, including this one from The Danger Garden.

 

The Conservatory is available to lead special tours, and to provide event or party space for groups of up to 200. Contact Annie today at [email protected], if you'd like to rent the Conservatory for your group's private event or party!

 

What's in Bloom?  Globba Winitii: an offering to Buddha
Globba winitii
Globba winitii in the Conservatory

 

Location in the Conservatory: Potted Plants Gallery, North wall

 

Globba winitii is commonly known as the "dancing lady ginger" because of the yellow flowers that dangle and dance in the wind. This dance is likely performed to attract the plant's pollinators. 

 

Globbas are a member of the ginger family. Like all gingers, they grow from creeping rhizomes that form clumps underground.

 

Globbas are native to Thailand where the long-lasting flowers are used in bouquets, and presented as offerings to Buddha. 

 

Check our What's in Bloom page to see what else is blooming!

 

Visit Us!

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4:30pm (last entry is at 4:00pm)

Please note that on Sundays and holidays,
Golden Gate Park closes many of its roads to all vehicle traffic.

Admission: $8.00 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 SF City and County residents with proof of residency. 
The Conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
RPD logo
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 JFK Drive in front of the Conservatory. 
Strollers are not allowed in the Conservatory.

Information line: 415-831-2090