Lauritzen Gardens’ Conservatory Reopens After $11.3 Million Upgrade

The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory at Lauritzen Gardens will reopen to the public this weekend following an extensive renovation that cost approximately $11.3 million. This two-phase project has modernized the conservatory’s internal systems and expanded its collection of diverse plant species, enhancing the visitor experience.

The conservatory, which encompasses 17,500 square feet, has been closed for nearly a year and a half. Designed to feature plants that cannot withstand Nebraska’s harsh winters, the upgraded facility now boasts improved climate control and lighting systems. “Modernizing and maintaining the conservatory’s internal and external structures is essential to providing the community with a thriving display of world-class plant specimens,” said Ennis Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Lauritzen Gardens.

Upgrades and New Features Enhance Visitor Experience

The renovations unfolded in two phases, with the first phase completed in 2024. This involved the installation of larger fans, new shade cloths, and enhancements to the LED lighting and Argus climate control systems. The second phase, wrapping up this year, focused on expanding visitor space and improving soil conditions, as well as adding new and diverse plant specimens.

The conservatory’s various plant beds are now categorized into nine distinct regions, showcasing an impressive range of flora from California’s deserts to Southeast Asia’s tropics. Notable specimens include the cannonball tree, gumbo limbo, rose of Venezuela, Joey palm, and the iconic baobab, often referred to as the “tree of life.”

“There’s something magical about seeing a plant you’ve only read about in books, thought you’d only ever see in a movie, or never even knew existed,” Anderson remarked. “By selecting rare and diverse species from around the world, our new conservatory collections will invite visitors of all ages to explore, wonder, and fall in love with the incredible variety of plant life that surrounds us.”

Innovative Additions and Enhanced Amenities

Among the striking new features is an overhead plant chandelier, which displays two tiers of hanging spheres made of orchids, anthurium, and moss. The conservatory now also includes a plant library, where visitors can view hanging terrarium lanterns and wall terrariums designed for plants with specialized growing conditions.

Dedicated spaces have been created for the garden’s extensive collection of staghorn ferns, tropical pitcher plants, hoyas, pelargoniums, and various ferns. Additionally, a series of teak roots from Thailand, now planted with select orchids and bromeliads, mimic the natural growing conditions of these species.

An expanded overlook provides more room for guests to gather and accommodates small private rental events. The facility also features an environmentally-friendly bottle refilling station, promoting sustainable practices among visitors.

Admission to the conservatory is included with paid garden admission and is free for garden members. Alongside the conservatory’s reopening, the woodland trail, which features a century-old bur oak forest, will also be accessible to the public.

“They say a garden is never finished, and this weekend marks the beginning of a new era of growth for the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory,” Anderson added. “Just as our community once watched the first plantings take root, we now look forward to seeing this new collection flourish, forming a new environment for our guests to connect to and enjoy for years to come.”