Think spring inside The Conservatory at Miami Hamilton

By Susan Meikle, university news and communications

Art and gardens enhance the grounds of The Conservatory, which won an Honorable Mention in the 2018 All-America Selections (AAS) Landscape Design Challenge Contest.

From taking a botanical studies course to following The Conservatory on social media, Miami's Conservatory at the Hamilton campus offers many ways for the community to "think spring."

Want to learn more about plants? Try a new botanical studies short course

For the first time, botanical studies short courses are offered at the Conservatory. Open to all, for a minimal fee. Register for one — or all three— this spring: 

• Winter Tree Identification: noon-1 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 4, 11, 18
• Order of Bloom Study: noon-1 p.m. Fridays, March 8-May 10
• Basic Botanical Drawing: 1-3 p.m. Sundays, April 7-28.

Questions? Contact conservatory manager Brian Grubb by email at grubbb@MiamiOH.edu or call at (513) 785-3288.

Brian Grubb, manager of The Conservatory, in the tropical room.

Don’t have time for a Botanical Studies course? Learn it at lunch

Attend a monthly Learn it at Lunch session this spring, held at noon on the second Wednesday of February, March and April. 

Topics include The Conservatory's largest tropical trees, growing succulents, and starting seeds.

Can't make it on a Wednesday? Open six days a week, explore The Conservatory at your leisure

The Conservatory hosts four separate plant display areas that are free and open to the public six days a week.

1. Stop by for a visit and a self-guided tour:

The desert room. "One of the best compliments we receive is that almost any time of year visitors can see plants in bloom,” Grubb said.

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
• 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Saturdays
• noon-4 p.m. Sundays

 2. Bring a group — schedule a group tour

Schedule your visit on The Conservatory website.

How do I get there from Oxford or Middletown campuses? 

Take the BCRTA bus from Oxford or Middletown on weekdays. It is free with a Miami University ID. Check the schedule on the BCRTA website.  

Drive to 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton. Parking is free. 

Can’t make it in person? Connect online

Connect with The Conservatory and see photos of plants currently in bloom on:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/MURConservatory
• Twitter: Twitter.com/MURConservatory 
• Instagram: Instagram.com/MURConservatory

Student workers help keep the Conservatory running. "Our students make the difference," Grubb said. Read about them on the Conservatory website's Meet the Team page.

Photo collage (from Twitter) below by Conservatory student staff member Bekah Duquette, senior botany major and environmental science co-major.