Franklin Park Conservatory
Savage Gardens

by Rick Brown

A visit to the Franklin Park Conservatory is always a day well spent. I like the place so much (it is arguably the best place in Columbus) that my wife and I keep a yearly membership. So I met a friend there for lunch a little while back and a cruise around the current exhibit Savage Gardens.

At first glance the name is contradictory. One rarely, if ever, thinks of a garden as a savage environment. But this is a display of carnivorous plants…flora and fauna that entice and devour insects (and in a few cases small rodents) for nourishment. I’m sure the promotion is designed to excite children. Unfortunately, in the 21st Century with all its technology, theme parks, and special effects movies, a tiny plant that manages to consume a fly is not much of a selling point. Even the inclusion of a giant model plant that can “eat” anyone who walks in it is so low tech by today’s standards that it seems quaint…even if it did scare the bejesus out of me!

Yes most of the carnivorous plants on display here are small. And the larger pod (no…not iPod) varieties are already a part of the permanent collection. But visiting Franklin Park Conservatory…especially with a good friend or family…is always a pleasure. Some of Savage Garden’s artwork is good, although again, wilts a bit next to the permanent Chihuly installments.

So if your kids get restless take them to the Hot Shop. The glass blowing demonstrations certainly held the attention of the children around me. And in this age of techno gimmicky, that in itself is a small miracle.

Savage Gardens runs through November 14th at the Franklin Park Conservatory. For more information please go to: http://www.fpconservatory.org/savagegardens.htm