…or a greenhouse, hoop house. Located on Long Island, NY, visited in June 2013. What I remember most was the all-engulfing moistness of the environment. Evapotranspiration so intense as to make one giddy.
Which is undoubtedly why I lingered for a very long time, to take photos of familiar plants grown so beautifully as summer bedding in that heated greenhouse on Long Island. Moving slowly between the growing benches, I drifted into reveries of shopping for the summer home in Montauk, to fill the conservatory with lush hanging baskets. Another life, another garden (another bank account). Would I leave my sunny, arid home for a Gatsbyesque estate with plentiful summer rainfall? These are the questions that arise when visiting a Long Island hothouse on a lovely day in June. (It’s good to be home.)
Except for the begonias, it wasn’t a botanically palpitating experience. To me begonias are still the boss for summer containers, light on water, arresting in leaf. I need to find a Begonia luxurians again pronto. (No need for winter protection here in zone 10. I stack my potted begonias under dry eaves for the winter.) But it was impressive enough just checking out the growing operations and the boisterous health of well-cared for plants coming out of a winter’s sleep.
Have a great weekend. Maybe visit a local greenhouse?
Ah, greenhouses. I always want one, until I realize they would shrivel up in our summers. But they are lovely in the right climate.
I’ve always wanted a greenhouse too, although maybe a comfortable little shed (with good-sized windows, of course) would suffice. Enjoy your weekend, Denise!
It takes very little prodding to get me to visit a local greenhouse, so I’m going! 😉
@Renee & Kris, though I referenced “shopping” I did neglect to mention this was a commercial greenhouse. Long Island has some amazing gardens — they need growers like this!
@Alan, you go!
Those tropical Hibicus are pretty fabulous. I have quite a few Begonias with those fancy leaves. I do love the leaves, but they are kind of finicky, and on the whole, not particularly beautiful plants. I may trade them in for some different obsession.
I might have to look back through my photos to ID where this was ! It reminded me too of the sheer volume of pop-up garden centers on LI.