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.

I have no idea who this person is standing at the signage. Because they were taking their time reading, I skipped this part.

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.

I like how the light and shadows make lines across the wall and floor in this area where the sister cities Saint Paul and Nagasaki are discussed on the signs.

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.

The signs on this wall cover What is Bonsai? The History of Bonsai and Some Tree Styles.

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.

Bonsai trees on shelving inside; other trees in the ground outside as seen through the window.

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.

One of the signs on the shelf that reads Enjoy with your eyes only.

There isn’t anyone around to really stop you, but there are signs specifically saying Enjoy with your eyes only.

A person pauses to read signs on the wall in the hallway from where we came, as seen through the open sliding door.

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

I wish I knew who these two people were, so I could give them this pic of them looking at the Bonsai tree in the middle.

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.

Signs that show the Elements of a Japanese Garden and reminding visitors that a donation can be made to the endowment fund of Como Friends.

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.

Looking back at the door I just exited that has a sign on it that says Exit Only.

Once you leave the indoor portion of the Bonsai Exhibit, there is no reentry back inside.

The alternating red and green Bonsai trees on one side of the pavilion.

In the Bonsai Pavilion, there is a variety of Bonsai trees to check out along both sides.

Seven Bonsai trees on one side of the pavilion. The first three are green. Then a red, a yellow, a green, and finally, a red.

Not only are they different shapes and sizes, but they come in varying colors as well.

The bright sun really highlights the Zen Garden on the outside of the Conservatory.

In the nook between the building’s walls is a Zen Garden with rocks and sand.

The Zen Garden with large rocks, mossy patches, and designs raked into the sand.

Next time, the post will cover the The Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden at Como.

~The Overstimulated