The Arid House

The second largest conservatory of the glasshouse complex, the Arid house is a cactus and succulent lovers paradise. Loaded with nice plants like euphorbes, aloes, agaves and cycads to name of few. Let’s take look.

Wonder, Explore, and Enjoy

Walking around QSBG, I’m constantly reminded of three words; Wonder, Explore, and Enjoy. The sights here are constantly changing and evolving, and when you stumble upon something that strikes you as fantastic it might just be for that moment only, that you alone, have seen that special moment. One day while walking one of the garden trails I spotted what I thought was some kind of uniquely colored flower, perhaps a rare iris in tones of browns. What I found was a couple of caterpillars munching away on some foliage. I was amazed at what I was witnessing and appreciated that you could not make a reservation for this occasion of delight. It was only through the joy of exploration to find these treasures of beauty. So rare in the cities yet here at QSBG it almost seems commonplace.

The Rainforest House

The Rainforest House is the crown jewel of the glasshouse complex. Walking through here is like a dream filled with plants that need extra special care due to humidity and light factors. There are quite a few rare gems in here and deep wandering is a must to try to see it all. Let’s take a look.

This begonia has climbed to the second story walkway already.

Unreal decorative banana.

Two climbing vines worthy of a little recognition.

Beaumontia grandaflora or Herald’s Trumpet sure is a pleasant surprise running into here. It super showy, huge, white blooms are very fragrant and smell delicious. It is a strong, woody climber which, like its relatives Oleanders, Frangipanis and Mandevillas, usually bleeds a white milky sap from cut branches. Technically Beaumontia grandaflora is a climber, which enjoys support,  but can be grown as a shrub if desired.

Passiflora coccinea or red passion flower is an evergreen climber from South America. The shapes of passifloras are magnificent in general and this one is no exception. This  particular color is just a stunning red and will sure to brighten up any garden or host tree where they will be quite happy scampering up and putting on a lovely show.