 Talcott
Greenhouse
Welcome to Talcott Greenhouse, Mount
Holyoke College Botanic Garden's glasshouse. The greenhouse was
built in 1897-1898, through the generous funding of James Talcott.
After 100 years of almost continual use, the greenhouse received
much-needed renovations in 1997. Today, the Talcott Greenhouse displays
a living collection of plants from around the world, while serving
as a valuable teaching resource and supporting Mount Holyoke College
faculty and student plant research.
Greenhouse History
The Talcott Greenhouse complex was
built at the end of the nineteenth century as a place to grow non-hardy
plants for study in biological science classes. The Talcott Greenhouse
consists of three wings totaling approximately 6,000 square feet.
Greenhouse Collections
About two-thirds of the complex is devoted to the
permanent collection, which includes orchids, cacti and succulents,
ferns, begonias, bromeliads, aquatic plants as well as other tropical
and subtropical plants. Plants in the collection are used primarily
as teaching resources and may be representative of particular genera,
families, or geographic locations. Other plants may be in the collection
for their economic importance, interesting morphological characteristics,
or ornamental value.
The orchid Kirchara Tropical Jewel 'Hihimanu'
flowers in the Orchid House.
Scadoxus blooming after dormancy.
Construction of the Conservatory at the
Talcott Greenhouse, circa 1897 or 1898.
Seedlings being grown for study in
plant science classes.
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