Muttart Conservatory facts for kids
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Muttart Conservatories entrance in August 2009
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| Established | 1976 |
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| Location | 9626 96A Street Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4L8 |
| Type | Botanical garden |
| Visitors | 100,000 |
| Architect | Peter Hemingway |
| Owner | City of Edmonton |
| Public transit access | Edmonton Transit System |
| Nearest parking | On site (no charge) |
The Muttart Conservatory is a special indoor garden in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It's located in the North Saskatchewan River valley, right across from downtown. It's one of Edmonton's most famous buildings.
The conservatory has three greenhouses and beautiful outdoor gardens. Inside, you'll find four large glass pyramids. Each pyramid shows off plants from different parts of the world. A fifth smaller pyramid lights up the main entrance area.
The Muttart Conservatory was built thanks to a generous gift from the Gladys and Merrill Muttart Foundation. The rest of the money came from the Province of Alberta and the City of Edmonton. The City of Edmonton's Parks and Recreation Department runs the conservatory.
Contents
Amazing Architecture
The conservatory has a very unique design. Architect Peter Hemingway created its unusual look. It has four glass pyramids built around a central area.
Two of the pyramids are quite large, about 660 square meters (7,100 square feet) each. The other two are a bit smaller, about 410 square meters (4,400 square feet) each. Three pyramids are home to plants from different climates. The fourth pyramid changes its display with the seasons.
Exploring the Biomes
The Muttart Conservatory is home to plants from many different parts of the world. These plants are grouped into special areas called biomes. Each biome has its own pyramid.
Temperate Pyramid
The Temperate pyramid holds plants that like milder climates. These plants come from places like the southern Great Lakes region, Australia, and even mountains in Asia.
Near the entrance, there's a bog area with water lilies. This area leads into a woodland with many trees and shrubs. You can see redwoods, cedars, and pampas grass. The Australian section features eucalyptus trees. Many tiny flowering plants grow on the woodland floor. Some are from Alberta, and others are from around the world. The environment here is carefully controlled. This helps the plants rest in winter and then bloom with colorful flowers in spring.
Arid Pyramid
The Arid pyramid features plants from dry areas. These places can be hot or cold. They are found on five different continents. These plants are special because they can live in dry air. They also handle big changes in temperature between day and night.
In 2013, a giant Agave Americana plant bloomed here. It grew to be 30 feet tall! This plant was planted shortly after the conservatory first opened.
Tropical Pyramid
The Tropical pyramid is full of many different kinds of plants. You'll see tall palms, banana plants, and weeping fig trees. There are also orchids, hibiscus, and bird of paradise flowers. These plants come from tropical rainforests or grasslands. They are often very bright and colorful.
A waterfall flows into the center of this pyramid. Small fish and water lilies live in the water. In the past, this pyramid was even home to a kiwi bird and a sloth! In 2013, a rare Amorphophallus titanum plant bloomed here. It's famous for its very strong smell.
Feature Pyramid
The Feature pyramid offers special displays that change several times a year. These displays often have different themes. They celebrate seasons or special events with beautiful flowering plants.
Visitor Information
Besides the pyramids, the Muttart Conservatory has other things to enjoy. There's an outdoor gazebo and a gift shop. You can also visit the Culina Muttart Café. The café serves food made with fresh ingredients. Some herbs and salad greens are even grown right there at the conservatory!
The City of Edmonton owns and runs this facility. It's a popular place for special events, like weddings. The conservatory had a big renovation in 2009. It cost $6.3 million to make it even better.
Images for kids
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Dawn at the Muttart Conservatory
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Muttart Conservatory with downtown Edmonton in distance
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Pyramid buildings of the Muttart Conservatory
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Muttart Conservatory from north side of North Saskatchewan River
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The Muttart Conservatory
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Amorphophallus titanum flower at Muttart, 2015
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A camphor tree in the tropical section.
