Spectacular lights, gardens create winter wonderland at Franklin Park

Central Ohioans who haven't retreated to warmer climates to escape the frigid Midwest winters can still see exotic flora.

Though poinsettias, bromeliads and philodendron are hardly native to the region, visitors to the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens can see them in abundance this holiday season.

The annual seasonal show, now called "Conservatory Aglow," features horticulture displays and light installations in both the interior biomes and outdoor courtyards. Organizers for the show say it has grown since the Conservatory opened in 1993.

“The exciting thing is, every year gets bigger and bigger and better,” said Garet Martin, the horticulture exhibitions designer.

The May opening of the two-acre Scotts MiracleGro Foundation Children’s Garden allowed the Conservatory to expand its winter wonderland. Glass orbs on the glowing ornament tree at Conservatory Aglow

“Every year, it grows and takes a new life,” said Bonnie DeRubertis, exhibitions manager. She added that the children’s garden is “a game changer.”

Thousands of outdoor lights meticulously installed by presenting partner Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation will highlight the garden's natural features, including a flock of more than 70 flamingo topiaries.

Elsewhere in the garden is a 15-foot-tall whimsical tree — with a “Dr. Seussesque look,” DeRubertis said — created by TORK, a local industrial-artifacts company. The Conservatory also partnered with creative agency OBLSK, which uses projected imagery on fabric banners to create a wintry scene.

Inside the Conservatory is the classic display that visitors may have come to expect.

The Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse is flooded with a total of 1,700 poinsettia plants, about 300 more than last year, Martin said. A 15-foot-tall blown-glass ornament tree, gingerbread house displays and the Paul Busse model garden railway are also popular attractions.

In addition to the exotic plants, guests can also see classic Christmas flora such as berry hollies, junipers and spruces inside the Himalayan biome.

Select evenings will also feature live holiday music performed by regional musicians and choirs.

Planning the show is hard work — organizers begin about two years out, with the bulk of the work beginning in January with installation in September — but Martin said the looks of wonder on visitors' faces make the work worthwhile.

“It’s probably one of my favorite shows to do because the holidays bring out so much emotion in everyone anyway,” Martin said. “It's really exciting to think you are a part of that experience for so many families.”