Recently PHI Executive Director, Marc Williams got the opportunity to visit Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota for a week largely due to the generosity of good friend and colleague Rob Routhieaux. Being that it was winter one might think that there was not much botanizing to be done. However, St Paul has a marvelous conservatory in Como Park that contained many great displays of tropical flowers and crops.
The University of Minnesota also has a very nice arboretum. Some garden areas explored included the Japanese garden, Perennial garden, Herb gardens, Sensory garden, Garden for Wildlife, and Sculpture garden. Many other gardens are present as well as a fabulous research library. The artist Bruce Munro currently has a great photo exhibit and art installation currently in the garden. The visitor center featured a really nice collection of wood cut artistry as can be seen to the right as well.
The park containing Minnehaha Falls made for another favorable outing. This area located near the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi river was largely frozen over. However, it was still possible to take not of the presence of many plants including Basswood (Tilia sp.), Oaks (Quercus spp.), Elm (Ulmus sp.), Echinacea, Hydrangea, Motherwort (Leonurus sp.), Goldenrod (Solidago sp.), Black locust (Robinia pseuodacacia), Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia sp.), White Pine (Pinus strobus), Spruce (Picea sp.), and Ash (Fraxinus sp.).
Right before the end of the trip came a visit to a “mini” arboretum. This little public space provides a great oasis in the middle of St Paul. The signage was not very comprehensive but it was clear that a diverse array of woody plants was present. The ten degree temps kept the visit to a minimum.
