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March 20, 2013

Photos: Beat the cold-weather blues at the Como Zoo Conservatory

Photos by Jeffrey Thompson
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On the first day of spring, few signs of the season can be found in our snow-covered landscape. But inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, the temperature is tropical and vibrant colors speckle the glass rooms. A variety of plants and blooming flowers are displayed at the 98-year-old site, and they can be the perfect antidote for our winter-weary eyes.

Bromeliad plants

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A selection of Bromeliad plants is displayed at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Fern unfurling

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A Christmas fern unfurls at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Velthemia plants

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Velthemia plants are held in a greenhouse at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Orchid arrangement

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — An orchid arrangement hangs from a tree at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Drying peppers

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Peppers dry at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Conservatory horticulturist

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A selection of cyclamen flowers are arranged in a greenhouse at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Sprouting seedlings

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Seedlings sprout at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Watering plants

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Margaret Yeakel-Twum waters plants in a greenhouse at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Yeakel-Twum, who takes daily refuge from the cold in the Conservatory's warm climate, said "This job will keep you sane." (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Changing boots

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Margaret Yeakel-Twum changes boots before beginning her watering chores at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Decorated locker

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Margaret Yeakel-Twum's locker is decorated with personal items at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Carrying waste

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Margaret Yeakel-Twum carries away waste from the north garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Yeakel-Twum, who has been a horticulturalist at the Conservatory for 17 years, starts her day watering and pruning and then works in the greenhouses when Conservatory opens to the public. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Hydrangeas

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — Hydrangeas catch the sunlight at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

Tulip opening

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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA — A tulip opens at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson/Read the story) link to this photo

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