"Crystal Palaces is the first book on garden conservatories in America. Arranged chronologically from the Victorian-era structure in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to the recently completed Quad City Conservatory in Rock Island, Illinois, twenty-five of the most spectacular U.S. conservatories are presented in detail through lavish color photos and evocative descriptions." "Anne S. Cunningham reveals conservatory secrets for maintaining healthy plants and discusses the increasing focus on global biodiversity as well as the architectural elements that make each glasshouse unique. The glossary, bibliography, and index are especially helpful, as are hours of operation and contact information provided for each conservatory. Crystal Palaces is essential reading - or an ideal gift - for any gardener or garden lover."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights ReservedA central part of a visit to any botanical garden is the conservatory, an enormous glass structure that houses a wide variety of exotic flora. America has an abundance of exceptional examples; many have been designated National Historic Landmarks. Crystal Palaces is the first book on garden conservatories in the United States from the Victorian-era structure in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to the recently completed Quad City Conservatory in Rock Island, Illinois. Twenty-five conservatories are presented in detail through lavish color photos and evocative descriptions. Just a few of the spectacular conservatories included are Steinhardt Conservatory in Brooklyn, Fairchild Tropical Garden Conservatory in Coral Gables, Missouri Botanical Garden Conservatories and Climatron in Saint Louis, and Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle.
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