The Ordway Gardens Bonsai Collection: Como Review
A post discussing my experience at the The Ordway Gardens Bonsai Collection at Como in St. Paul, MN in October of 2021.
This post is part of a Como Review series from a visit in October 2021. You can read the first portion detailing the Zoo here, the second part covering the Visitor Center and Tropical Encounters Exhibit here, and the third post covering the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory portion here. This post will cover the Ordway Gardens Bonsai Collection at Como.

When you exit the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory to enter the Ordway Gardens section of the building, there is a lot of information written on placards.

This information is basically located in a long hallway. Since this visit was on a sunny day, there was a lot of light available. This entire area is enclosed, and you are protected from the weather.
I didn’t take up close photos of these signs as the purpose was less to convey all the information within these pics and more to just show what the signage is like in the area.
The Bonsai Collection is the largest public collection in the upper Midwest and the nationally acclaimed experience is the only top-curated Japanese plant collection in Minnesota.
There isn’t anyone around to really stop you, but there are signs specifically saying Enjoy with your eyes only.

Once you pass through the long corridor, there is no exit from the way you came. The only path to leave is forward.

Even though the indoor portion of the Bonsai Collection is basically a skinny passageway with a room jutting to the side at the end, there is still plenty of space to keep your distance from other visitors.

Since admission to Como is free, there are signs throughout the grounds from Como Friends alerting you that you can connect with them to make a donation if you wish.
Community support allows Como to remain owned by all, enjoyed by all, and free to all.
Once you leave the indoor portion of the Bonsai Exhibit, there is no reentry back inside.
In the Bonsai Pavilion, there is a variety of Bonsai trees to check out along both sides.

Not only are they different shapes and sizes, but they come in varying colors as well.
In the nook between the building’s walls is a Zen Garden with rocks and sand.
Next time, the post will cover the The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden at Como.
~The Overstimulated