The final Flower Show of the year celebrates the warmth of autumn

Right Track apprentice Willow Stephens grew up coming to Como, where the Sunken Garden once played host to a family wedding. This season’s show features her favorite flower–celosias “pampas plume”–as a supporting player.

A long-running design trend in fashion, hair, and homewares, the ombrė pattern is now making its horticultural debut in the Sunken Garden, where waves of yellow, gold, pink, and purple chrysanthemums ripple against the room’s reflecting pool.

“The theme we were going for was ‘sunset on the water,’” says Willow Stephens, the Right Track horticultural apprentice who co-designed the show along with Como horticulturist Rylee Werden. “The white mums at the end of the pool represent the bright sun, and then you see the colors around it fade away, yellow to orange, pink to purple.”

An autumn tradition for more than a century, designing the Fall Flower Show at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is a cool project for any young horticulturist to have on their resume. But this season’s display is extra special—it will be the last shot of color in the Sunken Garden before it closes for renovations that will make the historic room more accessible to visitors with strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility challenges. While it’s under construction, Como’s horticulturists are planning a traditional Poinsettia display for the Visitor Center porch.

“There’s never a great time to close any corner of Como, particularly a garden that visitors love as much as the Sunken Garden,” says Como Campus Director Michelle Furrer. “While we won’t be able to experience the Holiday Flower Show, we are planning a special exhibition, Winter’s Blooming Wonderland, that includes the traditional poinsettias on the Visitor Center Porch.”

That’s why horticulturists came up with a particularly colorful plan for this season’s two-part flower show. Following the sunset theme, which runs through October 27, the second half takes its inspiration from the color palette of Como Zoo’s lions, Mumford and Maji, and will run from November 1 through 16. 

In addition to traditional mums, Werden says visitors will see her favorite plant, the viola “antique shades”,  and many other vibrant supporting players. “The cooler temperatures and shorter days do restrict the types of plants that we can select, but we’ve chosen some that give the room a nice fall feel—chard and kale, marigolds, millet, and grasses all look great with these mums.” 

“We’re really excited about having a room that’s more accessible, and that more people can appreciate,” says Werden. “And one thing we really like is that these changes will even create a little more space for garden beds.”

 

 

Symbolizing joy, luck, friendship and rebirth, chrysanthemums have been the centerpiece of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s fall flower shows since 2015. This year’s show highlights the versatility of mums, by featuring the same plant side by side–one in the traditional shape, the other pruned back to create a show-stopping central bloom. 

To keep all of these plants healthy, Werden recently released hundreds of lacewings into the Sunken Garden, tiny but mighty beneficial bugs that can help protect chrysanthemums from pests known as “thrips,” and the potentially deadly viruses they carry. The Integrated Pest Management  program was funded in 2024 by your support to Como Friends. Thank you!

 

Watch your inbox for a Como Friends’ invitation about a special donor preview of Winter’s Blooming Wonderland, which will be on display in Como’s Visitor Center porch in December. Sign up here.

Fall Sunken Flower Show plant list: Celosia, Yarrow, Viola, Kale, Marigolds, Swiss Chard, Dusty Miller, Coleus, Black Eyed Susans, Millet, asters, Amaranth, a variety of Sunflowers, Ornamental Peppers and Kale, and Pennisetum

 

 

The season’s best Como traditions are back

One of the beauties of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is finding something to delight every time you drop in. But with these inside tips about Como’s value-added programs, you’ll find even more to love.

  • The Blaze Sparky Show

    Every day at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Como Harbor’s inhabitants dive into this splashy training session, teaching visitors about the unique adaptations of harbor seals, Atlantic gray seals and California sea lions. And be sure to check out Como’s daily zookeeper talks at 11 a.m. and gardener chats at 1:00 p.m. every day, featuring a changing roster of themed animal and plant presentations for the public.

  • The Sunken Garden Summer Flower Show

    The longest-running flower show of the year, the Sunken Garden’s summer display is open now through September 22. Look for angelonia, verbena, salvia, coleus and other annuals in cherry red and pink at this hot summer showcase of floral favorites. Free and open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for a mid-show change June 10–June 13.

  • The Mother’s Day Bonsai Show

    Experience the beauty of bonsai at this annual show, May 11 and 12, produced in partnership with the Minnesota Bonsai Society.

  • Cafesjian’s Carousel

    A Minnesota tradition that just keeps spinning, Como’s historic carousel is now open five days a week, Thursdays to Mondays, through Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mark your calendar for free rides coming up on May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27 and September 24.

  • Insider’s Look

    Have you ever wondered what it’s like before hours at the Zoo and Conservatory? Find out at Como’s popular new Adult Program: An Insider’s Look, offering an early hours behind-the-scenes glimpse of everything that goes on at Minnesota’s most visited cultural destination. Coming May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., $25 per person. Reserve your ticket today: https://comozooconservatory.org/como/an-insiders-look/

  • Garden Safari Gifts Satellite Shops

    Como Friends’ Garden Safari Gifts grows every summer with satellite locations in Como Town and at the kiosk in Polar Bear Odyssey, May 18 through September. With an unparalleled plush collection, cute gifts, and Como-themed apparel, every purchase helps to support the plants and animals you love at Como. And remember, Como Friends members enjoy 15 percent off every purchase!

  • Senior Strolls

    Get fit and make new friends at one of these early access mornings, specifically for the 55+ and up crowd. Visit Como’s website to register in advance for the following dates: May 21, June 9 and June 18.

  • Little Explorers

    Free every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, Como’s Visitor Center Donor Plaza becomes a fun conservation station for preschoolers, with story time, hands-on activities, and nature themes including Fun with Fish on May 16, Fancy Flowers on May 23, Bird Buddies on May 30, and Down on the Farm on June 6. An ASL interpreter will also be on hand most Thursdays to interpret the 10:30 a.m. story time, 11 a.m. zookeeper talk, and the 11:30 a.m. Blaze Sparky Show.

  • Sensory-Friendly Mornings

    Experience Como with a little quiet and calm during these designated early morning openings designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Visit Como’s website to register in advance for these upcoming dates: May 26, June 11 and June 23 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

  • Glass in Flight

    See the beauty of insects and other high-fliers through artist Alex Heveri’s traveling art exhibit, featuring bedazzling steel and glass butterflies, beehives, beetles, birds, and more, visiting Como’s campus from May 23 to August 31.

  • Como Town

    Make time for the Tilt-A-Whirl on May 18, opening day at Como Town! This year’s new attraction is Dinosaur Expedition, a reservation-only experience for a limited-time is a must-see event featuring 11 life-size fully robotic dinosaurs. The dinosaurs come alive at Como Town from May 24 to September 2, daily 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; September 7– 29, Saturday and Sundays only, 10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Remember, Como Friends Supporter-level members receive a complimentary Como Town Fun Card filled with 32 ride points, thanks to our partners at Como Town.

The St. Paul Winter Carnival Orchid Show is the cure for the mid-winter blahs

With more than 28,000 naturally occurring species, the Orchidaceae family is one of the largest and most diverse of the world’s flowering plants. On January 27 and 28, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory visitors will get a chance to see the cream of the crop at the St. Paul Winter Carnival Orchid Show, a Como tradition for nearly 50 years.

Curating and designing Como’s display this year is horticulturist Alejandro Balderas, who cares about orchids even in his off-hours. “Before I moved to Minnesota from California, I had about 70 plants and 30 cultivars of my own,” he says. While he’s trimmed his personal collection to a more manageable size, there’s a good chance it will grow again once he’s had a look at the newest species and varietals for purchase at the Orchid Show’s marketplace. “There are so  many shapes and sizes, and there’s always something new on the market,” he says. “It makes it hard to resist.” 

Like the tulip mania that hit Europe in the 1600s, orchids had a similar history in the 1800s, when so-called “orchidelirium” sent prices for rare tropical species soaring into the stratosphere. But now with so many hearty varieties widely available in garden shops and grocery stores, orchids are no longer quite as intimidating to curious home gardeners. 

“Orchid growing has become much more transparent because of the internet and with people having access to the literature online,” he says, from groups like the Orchid Society of Minnesota, a co-sponsor of the Winter Carnival Show. “They’re one of the few houseplants that actually flowers consistently,” he says, with colors made to attract pollinators and people stuck indoors during the winter. “Minnesotans seem to really love their orchids,” he says. 

For the show, Balderas and other horticulturists are planning to display more than two dozen of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s best species, drawn from a large working  collection predominantly featuring plants from Central and South America. Set in the Fern Room, the design will feature a sculpture dedicated to the Conservatory on its 50th anniversary in 1965.

Advanced admission reservations are required to attend the St. Paul Winter Carnival Orchid Show, and tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for Como Friends members, seniors, and children under the age of 12. Visit this link for more information. 

Your support for Como Friends helps to make the Conservation Champions program possible, supporting Como’s talented staff’s participation in conservation partnerships and in their continued professional development. Thank you!

Parking will Remain Free at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory!

Como Friends is happy to share that the City of Saint Paul has determined that parking will remain free in Como Regional Park, including at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and will not be pursued for the 2021 budget.

The decision was made based on findings from the Paid Parking Feasibility Study. Key discoveries included a likely decline in people visiting Como Park Zoo & Conservatory because of paid parking and a decline in food and retail purchases during a visit.

Como Friends will advance our mission-driven work to inspire support for the zoo and conservatory so it remains a vibrant and welcoming place where future generations can explore and make memories.

Be sure to join our Como Promo email newsletter list at https://comofriends.org/get-involved/the-como-promo/ to stay informed on the latest developments, and to learn more about Como Friends’ advocacy work on behalf of the nearly two million visitors who come to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory every year. Thank you for all you do to support free access and needed improvements at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, to ensure this beloved treasure is thriving for generations to come.

Parking will Remain Free at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory!

Como Friends is happy to share that the City of Saint Paul has determined that parking will remain free in Como Regional Park, including at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and will not be pursued for the 2021 budget.

The decision was made based on findings from the Paid Parking Feasibility Study. Key discoveries included a likely decline in people visiting Como Park Zoo & Conservatory because of paid parking and a decline in food and retail purchases during a visit.

Como Friends will advance our mission-driven work to inspire support for the zoo and conservatory so it remains a vibrant and welcoming place where future generations can explore and make memories.

Be sure to join our Como Promo email newsletter list at https://comofriends.org/get-involved/the-como-promo/ to stay informed on the latest developments, and to learn more about Como Friends’ advocacy work on behalf of the nearly two million visitors who come to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory every year. Thank you for all you do to support free access and needed improvements at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, to ensure this beloved treasure is thriving for generations to come.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Como Friends’ support has been essential to the growth of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Japanese horticultural collection, providing 100 percent of the funding for The Ordway Gardens wing opened in 2013.
  • Louis W. Hill, Jr., grandson of railroad executive James J. Hill, is credited with starting St. Paul’s “town affiliation” with Nagasaki. A fan of Asian art, Hill had been to Nagasaki before World War II.
  • The Obon Festival, the high-point of the Japanese garden’s summer season, is on August 21, 2022.

Parking will Remain Free at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory!

Como Friends is happy to share that the City of Saint Paul has determined that parking will remain free in Como Regional Park, including at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and will not be pursued for the 2021 budget.

The decision was made based on findings from the Paid Parking Feasibility Study. Key discoveries included a likely decline in people visiting Como Park Zoo & Conservatory because of paid parking and a decline in food and retail purchases during a visit.

Como Friends will advance our mission-driven work to inspire support for the zoo and conservatory so it remains a vibrant and welcoming place where future generations can explore and make memories.

Be sure to join our Como Promo email newsletter list at https://comofriends.org/get-involved/the-como-promo/ to stay informed on the latest developments, and to learn more about Como Friends’ advocacy work on behalf of the nearly two million visitors who come to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory every year. Thank you for all you do to support free access and needed improvements at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, to ensure this beloved treasure is thriving for generations to come.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Como Friends’ support has been essential to the growth of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Japanese horticultural collection, providing 100 percent of the funding for The Ordway Gardens wing opened in 2013.
  • Louis W. Hill, Jr., grandson of railroad executive James J. Hill, is credited with starting St. Paul’s “town affiliation” with Nagasaki. A fan of Asian art, Hill had been to Nagasaki before World War II.
  • The Obon Festival, the high-point of the Japanese garden’s summer season, is on August 21, 2022.

While the historic Como Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are two of St. Paul’s most beloved cultural treasures, only 16 percent of Como’s average 1.7 million annual visitors come from the Capital City. “An even larger number of visitors, more than 400,000 every year, are actually from greater Minnesota, and 15 percent come from outside the state,” says Michelle Furrer, Como’s Campus Director. “The sheer number of visitors to Como makes clear that we’re an important part of the tourism economy.” In fact, a 2015 study from Sapphire Consulting found that Como annually generates more than $162.7 million in economic impact for our region, along with nearly 2,100 jobs.

Just as important to Minnesota lawmakers, says Furrer, was the strong public/private partnership between Como Friends and Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. “Seeking state funding is a competitive process because there are so many needs across the state,” she says. “Having a strong track record of success working with Como Friends to build improvements like Polar Bear Odyssey and The Ordway Gardens definitely strengthened our case. It showed legislators that we had the community support behind us to leverage additional dollars to achieve our goals with Como Harbor.”

“We’re so proud of what our supporters have made possible in Como Harbor,” says Jackie Sticha. “Generous philanthropic gifts and public funding mean that transformational improvements are possible at Como without compromising our commitment to free admission and barrier-free access for everyone.”

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