Snow may be on the ground, but there’s a hidden gem in Regina where people can enjoy spring scenery.
When you walk into the Regina Floral Conservatory, there’s no sign of the white stuff on the ground.
Once the conservatory opened Monday, people and families could be seen taking in the flowers and greenery.
Brenda Herring, the president of the Regina Garden Associates, said the conservatory is a great way for people to escape the winter.
“When you come here, it’s spring. It’s beautiful, it’s green (and) the air has got humidity, so this is a great escape,” she said.
Right now, the conservatory’s display is called the Magic of Spring. It features flowers like tulips, daffodils and Easter lilies and has some Easter decorations such as eggs and rabbits.
“We have 100-plus permanent plants that are here. So for the plantees who love plants, you’ll see things like Never Never plant, and special little permanent plants that we have added into our collection,” Herring said.
She added more people are enjoying the conservatory.
“We have almost doubled our attendance here. We have done a few things that we think have been encouraging,” Herring explained. “We have moved our tourism and rentals away from our open times, so when people come here, they truly get the whole conservatory.”
According to Herring, her favourite part is when she first walks into the conservatory.
“I can feel my blood pressure dropping. The minute I step in here, it’s like, ‘Oh OK.’ It just calms me right down,” she said.
Maegan Mason and her daughter Sophie were among the people who attended the conservatory Monday and participated in a scavenger hunt.
Mason said she decided to see the plants and flowers because it was her day off.
“We just wanted to come and get some spring and greenery and warmth and come and do something fun around town,” she said.
Mason believes the conservatory is a great escape from the winter, especially with the fresh snow that fell over the weekend.
“We haven’t been here for a while, so it was kind of a nice thought of going to check out the flowers, the spring tulips and the daffodils,” she said.
Mason added her favourite part of the conservatory is the atmosphere.
“Just being here, it’s warm, it’s calm (and) it’s inviting,” she said.
Admission for the conservatory is by donation. Its hours for the public are 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week.