The Conservatory Chronicles

Issue 110
January 2017

 
A monthly newsletter for our growing Conservatory Community

Happy New Year from 
the Conservatory of Flowers!
  
Please read on and support the new chapter we will embark on this year:
  
BuildingClosureJanuary Building Closures for Maintenance

A friendly reminder to our Conservatory Community as the greenhouse will be closed to the public during our annual scheduled building closure from January 16 to January 23. The week-long closure will make it possible for San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department's electricians, engineers, painters, metal workers, masonry workers and carpenters to complete projects that will continue making the Conservatory of Flowers an exceptional place of beauty.

We thank you for your patience during this annual scheduled closure.

Doors will be open again on Tuesday, January 24 at 10:00 a.m.
ButterfliesExhibitStart the New Year by Getting Eye to Eye With a Butterfly!

Walk through the mesh doorways and into the 
Special Exhibit Gallery to view the magical chrysalis 
sleeping soundly before they awaken from their 
slumber in the Butterfly Bungalow. You never know,
 you may be lucky enough to catch the moment when
 one of these delicate beauties emerge!

Are You on Butterfly Patrol?

Upon entry, be sure to ask a Guest Services Representative about becoming a member of the butterfly patrol to experience a unique connection with a butterfly.
CirqueLast Month to Catch Luzia in San Francisco
Don't forget -- You are invited to attend Cirque du Soleil's stunning dream of Mexico in the nature-inspired 

New and current Conservatory Members are treated to 15% discount off tickets to experience the magical monarch lady and imaginary Mexico with all your senses.

Please contact Development and Membership Associate May Slen at mslen@sfcof.org or call (415) 577-2584 if you have any questions.
Experience a wondrous world that inspires you to explore your senses, enveloped in light and nurtured by rain. Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico features a beautiful Monarch Butterfly lady while the show stops in San Francisco from November 17 to January 29 and San Jose from February 9 to March 19.

Thank you to all the new and ongoing members of the Conservatory of Flowers that entered into the drawing to win a 4-pack of tickets to attend Cirque du Soleil's Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico! Stay tuned for future opportunities and festivities with the tropical Victorian greenhouse. 
NewFolksGerminating the Conservatory Family

As we welcome the new year together with our Conservatory Community, please join us in welcoming new additions to our growing Conservatory family!

Check the Conservatory Staff web page to read about how each of our new representatives help support the mission statement of the exceptionally beautiful Conservatory of Flowers.
BridgeFeatureWatch as the New Bridge Feature Evolves in the Aquatics Gallery
Thank you to our generous donors who contributed on #GivingTuesday!


Construction for the new bridge feature has been in motion in the Aquatics Gallery for the past month. Although the bridge is not open to the public yet, our Conservatory Community can see the progress in the slideshow images above. Let's thank, once again, our generous donors who contributed on Giving Tuesday! You are truly an inspiration to community giving!

Stay tuned for the next e-Newsletter to find out when the bridge is ready for you to venture across!

Click here if the slideshow does not work.
ValentineAphrodisiacs of the Tropics


Last year our special Valentine's Day after-hours event was sold out! Be swift and make your reservations today for a steamy night of tastings and exploration of Aphrodisiacs of the Tropics.

 
*Conservatory Members: Check your email this week for a member-exclusive discount code for this special after-hours event!

Have questions? Please email Development and Membership Associate May Slen or call 
(415) 577-2584 today.
Join Phil and Rhoda This Year, Become a Conservatory of Flowers Member! 

See your membership benefits sprouting immediately --- from discounts to after-hours events, Conservatory gift shop items and local garden shops, an invitation to our annual Members-Only Party and be the FIRST to hear about all the Conservatory news! 

This just in -- your membership also comes with a free one-year subscription of Martha Stewart Living or Better Homes and Gardens.

Click here to learn more about the available membership levels.

Come near, come far -- Join the San Francisco Orchid Society on February 24 through 26 for the 65th Annual Pacific Orchid and Garden Exposition (POGE), held at the Hall of Flowers. See the marvelous orchid exhibits and leave with big ideas for your small garden! 

This year the first Orchid Conservation Alliance (OCA) Benefit Dinner will take place at the Conservatory of Flowers on February 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The featured speaker of the OCA Benefit Dinner is Lou Jost of Baños, Ecuador, founder of Fundación EcoMinga. His talk, entitled Discovering, Studying, Conserving Ecuador's Orchids, will go into depth about the amazing efforts Lou and his colleagues have participated in to conserve orchids.

Proceeds of the OCA Benefit Dinner go toward Lou and EcoMinga to support the expansion of a new Dracula orchid reserve in northern Ecuador. Tickets and event details are available on the OCA website and must be purchased in advance. 
TriviaFactConservatory Trivia
Did you know that the orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is native to the rain forests of Southeast Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia? Wander through the Lowlands Gallery of the Victorian greenhouse and you will find the distinctive Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids that the orchid mantis is known to wait on to catch its next carnivorous meal. 

Check this video out and read more from National Geographic to learn about the evolutionary traits of these dazzling yet sinister insects.  
BloomWhat's in Bloom?
Dombeya wallichii

Common name: Pinkball
Native to: Madagascar 

Location: Potted Plants Gallery

Commonly known as pinkball, Dombeya wallichii is native to Madagascar. Grown as a shrub or small tree, D. wallichii can reach a height of 30 feet. The striking inflorescence of flowers, ranging in color from pink to rose, droop down in large clusters. The flowers emit a unique fragrance reminiscent of butter or caramel. These winter time blooms attract a diversity of pollinators. 

Dombeya wallichii is in the Malvaceae plant family, along with cacao (chocolate), cotton, and hibiscus. The genus name, Dombeya, commemorates Joseph Dombey (1742-1794) a French botanist, explorer, and doctor.


Check out What's in Bloom for more blooming beauties in the Potted Plants Gallery.
Visit Us Today!

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
(last entry is at 4:00 p.m.)

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

Admission:
$8.00 for Adults; 
$6.00 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 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