Andrew and I recently spent a long weekend up in Spokane with family, a postponed Christmas trip. While out running an errand with my brother (who now lives in Phoenix) we got the urge to drive by our previous homes. Real estate is all about location right? The house I owned in Spokane, before Andrew and I moved to Portland, was just three blocks from Spokane's Manito Park, a 90+ acre park with several distinct gardens within the larger park, including a conservatory. I spent many an hour in the park back then, and was happy to visit again.
It was a cold February day so we didn't walk through the park but did stop and check out Gaiser Conservatory...![]()
Just inside the door was this Blechnum gibbum, aka Oceaniopteris gibba.
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The conservatory has a tall central atrium (seen in the photo at the top of the post) and two wings off to each side. Naturally we went to the left first, to see the desert plants. Wait what? Those aren't desert plants!
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What are forced tulips doing where my cactus and agaves should be?
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Thankfully before I had a breakdown I walked a little further in and things started to look up...
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Hubba hubba! Variegated Agave victoriae-reginae
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Such a glorious (warm) slice of desert on a cold Spokane day.
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More forced tulips messing with the cactus and succulents! (why!?)
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Back in June of 2014, I acquired a huge Agave victoriae-reginae the conservatory was getting rid of, during a Friends of Manito Plant sale (photos here). A few years later I added to my Gaiser Conservatory collection with a ginormous rhipsalis from another FOM plant sale. Do you get the idea I timed my visits to Spokane from Portland to coincide with the sale? You are correct! I feel so lucky to have plants from their collection.
Just inside the door was this Blechnum gibbum, aka Oceaniopteris gibba.
Check out that long rat-tail cactus! There's 6ft 2in Andrew for scale.
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The sun had it all lit up so nicely...
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Dolichothele longimamma (Mammillaria longimamma)
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Epiphyllum guatemalense
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Leuchtenbergia principis, aka agave cactus or prism cactus
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This rat-tail cactus was spectacular.
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And we caught it blooming!
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Want. Seriously lusting after this fabulous plant.
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But I managed to move on...
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Check out how the variegation on that tall yucca (?) travels all the way down to the base of the leaf.
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Leaving the desert wing, I spy this jewel orchid that I completely missed on my way in, Ludisia discolor.
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Walking on...
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After posting this image of a forbidden area on my Instagram account, I made contact with a gardener and greenhouse grower from the conservatory who offered a tour the next time I'm up in Spokane. You know I'll be taking her up on that!
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Moving on...
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This collection of mounted bromeliads and other plants is very well done, I thought.
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What a beauty! Anthurium crystallinum
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Looking backwards.
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Back in the tall center atrium, ready to call this visit done. I so miss having this treasure (the park and the conservatory) practically in my back yard. In fact this visit had me missing my house in Spokane something awful!
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Outside now, in front of the conservatory looking down at the dormant sunken Duncan Garden—yes, that is snow in the distance. A reminder of how good I've got it in Portland? Spokane winters can be harsh!
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Opuntia Cylindrica Cristata
Next up for Conservatory Week; on Wednesday we visit another park from my past with a big beautiful conservatory, Volunteer Park in Seattle.
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