Nearly 700 poinsettias just made their debut as part of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s annual holiday flower show. After being relocated to Como’s Visitor Center last year to accommodate the construction of the Sunken Garden’s new ADA-accessible ramps, the beloved seasonal flower show has returned to its roots this season.
“I would say this year’s show is traditional, but with a twist,” says Como horticulturist Bo Akinkuotu, who designed the show, now on display through January 4.
Fans of TikTok’s viral “Ralph Lauren Christmas” vibe will definitely like the rich red bracts featured in more traditional varieties such as Ruby Red, Pure White, and Jubilee Red. Visitors will also discover outside-the-box accent plants such as Duranta, Kalanchoe, Alyssum, Dusty Miller, and Green Envy poinsettias, an arresting chartreuse varietal.
“There are some camps that really prefer the familiar, traditional reds, and others that want to see something new every time they come to the Sunken Garden,” he says. “With this show, we’re trying to strike a balance by featuring some familiar favorites along with some new elements.”
As many home gardeners know, cultivating these temperamental tropical plants in the cold of winter takes careful planning and attention to detail. “They can be a little bit fussy as a houseplant, and most people probably don’t have the patience for it,” he says.
As in years past, poinsettias will be available for purchase in the Como Friends Gift Shop throughout the holiday season, with every sale helping support the plants and animals we all love at Como.
In fact, Akinkuotu started preparing for the show several months ago, planting more than 1,500 poinsettias and accent plants to create adequate replacements for plants that may fade or lose their leaves during the course of the show. During the final eight weeks of the growing cycle, shades were drawn over the poinsettia growing area to help bring them into bloom. Plunging the plants into darkness for at least 13 hours a day is the key to creating the brightly colored bracts that make them a holiday favorite.
Como visitors can enjoy a profusion of poinsettias in the Sunken Garden, daily through January 4. Thanks to your contributions to Como Friends, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s five seasonal flower shows are always free to visitors.
Plant List
Alyssum (Carpet of Snow); Caladium (Gingerland); Chamaecyperus; Coastal rosemary Coleus; Dieffenbachia; Duranta (Lrg Gold Edge); Duranta (Med Gold Edge); Duranta (Sm Gold Edge); Dusty Miller; Silver Dust; Euphorbia (Starblast Pink) Jacoranda; Kalanchoe (Fuego); Lemon cypress; Pittosporum; Poinsettia Ruby Red (Lrg); Poinsettia Ruby Red ; Poinsettia Green Envy; Poinsettia Jubilee Red; Poinsettia Pure White; Rosemary topiaries
Como insiders know that Garden Safari Gifts is the place to go if you’re looking for that perfect Sparky t-shirt, puzzles and games for kids, and plush animals in the shape of nearly every species on the planet.
What you might not know is that every year, proceeds from Como Friends’ gift shop support the plants, animals, and people that converge at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.
“The retail operation at Garden Safari Gifts has always been a big part of our business model at Como Friends, and its success is one of the reasons that Como Park Zoo & Conservatory continues to be free to visitors,” says Como Friends President Jackie Sticha. “Not only is it fun to shop there, but when you do, you’re helping to support the things that make Como so special.”
While small retail shops have been part of Como’s campus for years, Garden Safari Gifts was originally opened in 2005 as part of the Visitor Center expansion, with satellite shops later launched at Como Town, Gorilla Forest, and Polar Bear Odyssey during the busy summer months. “Consistent profits, especially in the early years, were important to establishing Como Friends as a strong nonprofit,” says Terri Scheunemann, Como Friends’ director of retail operations.
From the start, Como souvenirs and animal-themed gifts have been big sellers with visitors. But more recently, Garden Safari Gifts has curated a collection of more sustainably sourced and conservation-minded gifts, from beeswax food wrappers, to bags and bedspreads made from recycled cloth, and reusable straws and water bottles to help cut down on single-use plastics. “Supporting Como’s conservation mission has definitely been a growing part of our marketing plan, and our visitors seem to really like it,” says Sheila Wewers, Como Friends’ associate director of retail operations.
While most items at Garden Safari Gifts sell for less than $20, every purchase you make there has had a powerful impact at Como, investing in everything from cutting-edge animal care, to accessible education programs, to gorgeous public gardens. “Simply making the decision to shop at Garden Safari Gifts can help make great things happen at Como,” says Sticha. “Whether you make direct donations or shop with us, it’s all part of the community support that Como depends on.”
Remember, during the holiday season Como Friends members enjoy 20 percent off every purchase at Garden Safari Gifts through December 31.
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.
Thanks to a combination of private donations and public funding, Como Harbor is a state-of-the-art habitat that has transformed the heart of Como Zoo. The new habitat has temperature-controlled salt-water pools that allow seals and sea lions to swim outdoors year-round—just as they would in the wild. The immersive and naturalistic design of the habitat features rocky outcroppings that reflect the Pacific coast, with a newly shaded amphitheater and underwater viewing area that give visitors close-up views of all three species that will call Como Harbor home. Behind the scenes, expanded animal care stations and underwater transfer areas will allow animals to swim in and out of every corner of Como Harbor, while providing multiple locations where zookeepers can provide specialized care for Como’s California sea lions, harbor seals and Atlantic gray seals.
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.”