Flower Power Fall Floral Show at The Domes

Since the Show Dome opened in December 1964, Mitchell Park Conservatory has been one of Milwaukee's premier attractions. Visitors have seen over 150 different floral displays, each unique and inspiring. Each show has a specific theme, generally categorized as historical, cultural or fantasy, and chosen at least a year in advance. We select plants specifically for a particular floral exhibit and grow them at our Horticulture Division's Greenhouse Center. Once in place, a show must last from six to fourteen weeks. We change potted flowers as needed. For a long-running Summer Show, there can be 3-4 complete changes of plantings. It takes many talents to make these themes realities. A landscape architect, horticulturists, arborists, artists, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and welders work together to create each show. The actual process can take 8-10 working days. Props are modular and thus, versatile; they can be modified and reused. One building could be an Italian villa and then be transformed into a Spanish hacienda, Williamsburg mansion or southern plantation home in future shows. The Floral Show Dome provides serene settings to be captured by artists and photographers, duplicated by visitors in their own gardens, and used by students learning about flowering plants. Simply put, the Floral Show Dome offers beauty and inspiration for all.