During your visit to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory explore a strikingly impressive facility featuring distinct areas including the Palm house, Tropical house, the Cactus house, Fernery and the Show house. In addition the Conservatory features a lily pond surrounded by a formal perennial garden and rose garden. Greenhouses adjacent to the structure house the Conservatory’s collection.
Conservatory
North Wing
In the North Wing of the Conservatory discover hundreds of cacti and desert plants in the Cactus house, lined in tufa rock and featuring cacti and succulents such as jellybeans, the silver dollar cactus and jade plant. Just beyond is the sunken Fernery, providing cooler conditions and more humidity for alsophila and other ferns that live there.
South Wing
Tropical plants and the Children’s Christian Temperance Fountain are housed in the Tropical house in the South Wing of the building. As you wander the South Wing you will discover fruiting plants and fig, calamondin orange and bloodleaf banana trees as well as tropical flowering plants such as the pink powderpuff and peace lily. Additionally, you will find perennial gardens and displays of annuals. Blooming plants are regularly on display in the Show house.
The Dome
At the center of the Conservatory is the Palm house. A variety of tropical trees and palms such as the Chinese fan palm, the fishtail palm, the umbrella tree and the Canary Island date palm can be found in the Palm house from floor to ceiling
Outdoors
Lily Pond
Outside the Palm house is Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory’s lily pond. Built in 1936 the rocky walls were created using 200 tons of moss-covered limestone boulders that were brought from the construction of the Livingstone Channel in the Detroit River near Amherstburg, Ontario. Say hello to the Japanese koi who call the lily pond their home, or examine the aquatic plants that float on top of the pond.
Formal Perennial and Rose Gardens
Surrounding the lily pond are beautiful perennials and roses. While the Conservatory’s gardens and grounds may be used for a wedding one day, the next you will find photographers capturing the splendor of the flowers.
Greenhouses
Adjacent to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory are 20 greenhouse structures. While 15 greenhouses are used to house the orchid, bromeliad, cactus, amaryllis and tropical plant collections, the other five are used by the Golightly Career and Technical Center’s Agriscience Program for high school students in the metro Detroit area. The program prepares students for post-graduation jobs as green keepers, florists, arborists, nursery owners and other related fields.
- The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is ADA complaint.
- The Conservatory hosts special events throughout the year. Visit the official Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory website to find out more about events taking place during your visit.