Submitted by Norm Roulet on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 00:35.
360 degree high definition (1080i) panorama of the front courtyard of the Rockefeller Greenhouse, featuring landscaping and public art in winter.
The Rockefeller Greenhouse is the City of Cleveland greenhouse, located in historic Rockefeller Park, featuring the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The Rockefeller Greenhouse is free and open to the public every day, including weekends and holidays, from 10 AM - 4 PM.
The first plans for the City Greenhouse were presented in 1902. Three years later the first units were completed on a portion of the 270 acres donated to the City by John D. Rockefeller.
The Greenhouse was initially used solely for growing the plants used to landscape City parks and gardens. While city beautification is still one of our goals, the Greenhouse and grounds have since evolved into a Botanical garden with specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays, and theme gardens.
The Japanese Garden was developed during the 1960s. This picturesque garden recreates a Japanese courtyard with its bamboo hut, gently running water basin, and pond. Of special interest is the metasequoia, or Dawn Redwood tree located across from the running water basin. The tree was grown from one of six seeds brought from Japan.
The Betty Ott Talking Garden uses tape-recorded descriptions to guide sight-impaired visitors. Plants here are chosen for their appeal to all the senses. A raised bed invites visitors to touch and smell the plants, and signs give information in both Roman and Braille type. This is one of only a few such special-interest gardens in the country.
The Mall is a traditional formal garden with clipped hedges enclosing the manicured grass center. The corner statues represent the four seasons.
Throughout the summer, the Latin American Garden showcases cacti, succulents, flowering plants, and tropical fruits found in the Latin region of Central and South America.
A stroll along the winding path of the Peace Garden takes visitors through an old-fashioned gazebo and rose, herb, and perennial gardens.
Inside the Greenhouse, visitors can experience:
* Tropical fruits and palms including citrus trees and banana plants. * Seasonal flowers in the main showhouse featuring spectacular holiday poinsettias, spring bulbs, and flowering plant displays throughout the year. * A variety of ferns and a sunken carpet of baby tears. * The southwestern desert setting of the cactus house. * Exotic orchids and bromeliads displayed in bloom.
The Greenhouse is easily accessible from I-90.
Take the Martin Luther King Drive exit (about 5 miles east of downtown Cleveland).
Go south on MLK, then follow the signs taking the first left onto the ramp to East 88th street.
From the south, follow MLK Drive north. Follow the signs turning right on the East 88th Street ramp.
The Greenhouse is on the top of the hill on the right.
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