les violettes

Today the weather is absolutely horrific with a major rain storm and wind gusts of up to 77mph! Due to the storm the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers closed for the day. Have you ever been there? What a beautiful place! Set in a white, wooden Victorian greenhouse, it is the oldest public conservatory for flowers in the Western hemisphere. What will you find inside? For starters a humid sensory environment with over 2,000 species of plants. There are also aquatic, tropical and potted plants along with one of the largest collections of orchids in the world. The building was built in 1878 and nearly destroyed during several storms (similar to the one today) in 1995-96. Due to neglect over the years, the structure was closed. Thanks to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the conservatory was repaired and reopened to the public in 2003. Many of the plants on view no longer exist in their natural habitat. If you love flowers and you have a chance to visit San Francisco, don’t hesitate to stop by this inviting place.