South Bend Conservatory

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The South Bend Conservatory, more formally known as the Ella Morris and Muessel-Ellison Botanical Conservatories and Potawatomi Greenhouse, is a collection of conservatories and indoor botanical gardens located in Potawatomi Park in South Bend, Indiana. It is located at 2105 Mishawaka Avenue.

The Conservatory was established in the 1920s when the Potawatomi Greenhouses were built to supply flowers. In 1963 and 1967, the Ella Morris and Muessel-Ellison Botanical conservatories were added, providing a tropical area. The "Arizona Desert Dome" was completed in 1973, and now is home to cacti, succulents, century plants, and a large monkey puzzle tree.

  • Potawatomi Greenhouses - 8 growing houses supply flowers and plants for seasonal flower shows, South Bend parks, and the conservatories.
  • Ella Morris Conservatory - tropicals and flowering plants, with rubber trees, bamboo, and citrus trees.
  • Muessel-Ellison Conservatory - a small waterfall with bougainvillea, bird of paradise, and more.

The City of South Bend had plans to close the Conservatory in late 2006 due to rising costs, but the Conservatory and Greenhouse will be operational in 2007.