One wing of Ruth’s Folly is known as Winter House, a kind of
greenhouse where the tenderest plants overwinter. The structure is typically
covered with landscape cloth, but during the winter months it is covered with
visqueen and warmed naturally by the sun and artificially by a heater.
From the outside and backlit by the sun, Winter House looks a
like an underwater aquarium or a science fiction movie set. But inside, it is
cozy and inviting, with the morning sun streaming in through the windows.
The
two Ruths and I appreciated stepping out of the crisp morning air and into its
warm interior before starting our tour of The Ruth Bancroft Garden. Several succulents
were blooming, including a Euphorbia and several aloes.
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| Winter House from outside. |
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| Winter house from inside. |
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After our tour, we ended up in Winter House, which also
doubles as the gift store. The enclosure had become quite warm between the
heater and the sun, and the Euphorbia blossoms were glistening with nectar. We enjoyed
the heat, light, and fragrance while making our selections from the gift store
(including bulbs from The Ruth Bancroft Garden private collection and breeding
program).
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