Tour Bolz Conservatory @ Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Enjoy a tropical paradise in February in Olbrich’s Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants, bright flowers, a rushing waterfall, fragrant orchids and free-flying birds.

We will visit the Bolz Conservatory and go behind the scenes including the three green houses that support the Conservatory.  John Wirth, Conservatory Curator, who was there from the beginning will lead us on a walking tour.  John has plenty of stories to tell about initially designing and implementing the gardens at the conservatory, and acquiring plants.  John will take questions during the walking tour.

We offer two tours, each tour will begin at 1 pm.  We will meet in the Olbrich Garden lobby beginning at 12:45 pm and start the tour at 1 pm.  You will be on your feet for more than an hour during the tour.  The tour will include climbing steps and walking on a sloped walkway.  The three green houses are accessed from the outside with gravel walkways.  Please be aware of the difficulty level of the tour.

The tropical Bolz Conservatory houses more than 650 plants representing more than 80 families and more than 475 different species and cultivars. These plants are native to tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world.

The glass pyramid measures 100 feet by 100 feet, rising to 50 feet tall in the center. The temperature in the Conservatory is maintained between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity is kept above 60-percent year-round.