Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas Domes

Allan Gardens Conservatory: Christmas Domes
(Photo by KPA)


I passed the Allan Gardens Conservatory from a distance last night, and saw the looming conservatory in the dark, with its glowing glass domes. The conservatory hours are extended until 7pm to view the Christmas decorations. As Christmas decorations go, they are very muted. A few giant wreaths here, a Christmas tree with lights there, and a clever floral "sculptor" of a polar bear with cubs near the entrance. There is a carpet of lovely deep red poinsettias, and yellow ones which don't have the festive feeling. But otherwise the decorations don't take away from the other flowers and plants.

But who need extra decoration when the conservatory itself is so impressive. The above scene evoked the spirit of Christmas for me, with the pine trees, the snow on the ground, the bright lantern lamp, and of course the glowing glass domes and windows.