On an unseasonably warm day this March, Smithies can find themselves in the Lyman Plant House & Conservatory, admiring all the Botanic Garden has to offer at the annual spring bulb show. The exhibit will last through Mar. 17 while the flowers are at their most vibrant. An unofficial mark of spring’s beginning, the bulb show captures an eager anticipation for green trees and warm weather.
The process of growing the bulbs usually begins in the previous fall so that all bulbs flower simultaneously, and in time for the show. Lily Carone, current Greenhouse Horticulturist at the Botanic Garden and “head architect” of the exhibit, explained how the bulbs are prepared. “The tulips and daffodils are from regions of the world that experience cold winter periods,” said Carone. “They require a cold treatment that we facilitate by potting them up with soil in October and then putting them in a dark, cold cooler hovering just above freezing.” The Botanic Garden effectively simulates cold temperatures of over 8,000 bulbs, all at once. “They have to undergo that period of cold in order that they are physiologically tricked into believing that they’re experiencing a winter,” said Carone.
The potting itself takes place months ahead on an October day; and not without the help of many. Eleanor Wu, Botanic Garden Student Educator (BoGSE), reflected on this experience with appreciation for her fellow colleagues. “We all planted the bulbs with the help of the horticulturists that were instructing us on what to do,” said Wu. “All of us got together and were just piling in the dirt. Some other student volunteers came and planted with us too. It was really fun.” Carone echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the rewarding aspect of working with students.
In a few months’ time, the bulbs begin to flower and are then prepared for display. Though the tradition has continued consistently for many decades, Carone noted that the maintenance of the plants has become more difficult in the past decade. “With climate change and warmer winters, we have a harder time keeping the bulbs flowering right on time,” said Carone. Unpredictably warm days — where January and February days reach as high as 60 degrees — give the bulbs a harder time to produce their flowers.
The Botanic Garden has always valued student engagement and has greatly considered their accessibility to students. Last year, they commissioned original artwork from Smith students for the bulb show, and decided to work with new artists again this year. “We have five artists working individually to create artworks that reflect their idea of botanical imagination,” said Carone. “They’re each working with different materials to convey their impressions of what that means.” Artwork by Dan Dao ’24, Avery Maltz AC ’25, Yasmine Porath ’24, Finn Walsh ’25J and Celosía Rae Tilghman ’24 is currently installed throughout the exhibit.
On the importance of collaborative efforts, students who come to the bulb show play just as much of a role in its success as the work behind the scenes. “It’s always really nice to talk to people who come to the show, to hear that they’re excited about it,” said Carone. “It’s particularly important to us that our direct Smith community gets to come to the show. I love to see Smithies around and enjoying it.”
Interacting with students at the plant house has been most gratifying for Carone, who hopes that the Botanic Garden encourages acceptance above all. “I think some people are confused about whether we’re open…or if you have to be a science student to come,” said Carone, sharing her interactions with past alumni who had never set foot in the greenhouse. “We’re trying in all sorts of ways to make sure everybody feels welcome and entitled to be in here.”
Dr. Banu Subramaniam, self-defined “interdisciplinary scholar” and current Luella LaMer Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at Wellesley College, was the opening lecturer for this year’s bulb show. On Mar. 1, she spoke on the complicated roots of biological frameworks for plants. Subramaniam concluded with the knowledge that humans and nature are made to interact with one another — and that their experiences are not separate. She frequently shared her respect for plant life. “You begin to appreciate daffodils after experiencing a winter,” said Subramaniam. “And sometimes the joy of daffodils is to see these flowers come out.”
In such a beautiful, natural landscape that is Smith’s campus, Carone finds that her history working with plants allows her to see the world with a sense of awe. “I carry that [landscape] eye into my day-to-day here now, just in terms of noticing and appreciating and reveling in what an amazing natural world we live among,” said Carone.
Wu had much to say about this season’s exhibit, including her encouragement for Smithies to come. “You should come to the bulb show,” said Wu. Ingrid Trapp ’26 also shared her enthusiasm, having already attended the show on its opening day. “I’m going to go back this weekend and take my friends,” said Trapp.
The Lyman Plant House & Conservatory will host the bulb show during the Botanic Garden’s hours of 10 a.m.–4 p.m, Sunday through Thursday. The Botanic Garden will have extended hours for the show from 10 a.m.–8 p.m on Fridays and Saturdays.
