Winnipeg, January 23, 2024 – The biomes at The Leaf re-opened this morning after a temporary closure yesterday following the end of the acclaimed Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE show.
In less than 24 hours, the Babs Asper Display House was transformed by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s horticulture team with a new display inspired by the lush tropical forests that define the breathtaking landscapes of the Philippines.
Flora of the Philippines, which runs until March 17, boasts a number of unique display features, including:
• Orchid Trees and Pillars – Two orchid “trees” frame the entrance and exit of the display area. Dotted throughout the display are unique pillars constructed out of bamboo sustainably harvested from the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome and decorated with orchids. Around 1,200 orchid species are known to grow naturally in the Philippines.
• Bromeliad Tree – Bromeliads are a large family of vibrant plants boasting unique foliage and colourful blooms. Most, but not all, bromeliads are epiphytic, which means they do not live in soil, but on trees or rocky surfaces. While they are not endemic to the Philippines, sun-loving bromeliads are well-suited to the country’s tropical climate and are commonly grown and sold there as ornamental plants.
• Living Arches – Four benches in the display area sit beneath beautiful arches covered in earthy moss and decorated with orchids. The arches provide visitors with a decorative and visually appealing rest area where they can relax and take in the beauty of the display.
• Discovery Table – An interactive display table features fruit and plant material that is grown in the Philippines like parts of a banana (saging), coconuts (niyog), jackfruit (langka) and mangosteen (manggustin). Visitors are encouraged to take a closer look at the plant material and invited to gently touch and smell the items, while ensuring they remain in the display for the enjoyment of all guests.
• Plant material significant to the Philippines will also be highlighted in the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome and marked with labels bearing the national flag of the Philippines. Featured plants include breadfruit, crepe jasmine, pineapple, and banyan tree.
“The tropical forests of the Philippines support an astounding diversity of plant life and we wanted to create a display that highlights some of those species,” said Gerald Dieleman, Senior Director of Horticulture, Assiniboine Park Conservancy.
The Flora of the Philippines display is included with regular Leaf admission. More information can be found at assiniboinepark.ca. The biomes at The Leaf are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Photo credit: Assiniboine Park Conservancy
