It's the most wonderful time of the year! Embrace the season with us at The Leaf with our holiday show, Celebration.
Carmen Grey, our horticultural operations coordinator, shares the significance woven into our holiday display. From the meticulous selection of plants to the purposeful design, our horticulture team commits to illuminating the beauty of the holiday season at The Leaf. Learn how "Celebration" came to life!
What is the meaning behind the Holiday display?
Carmen Grey: Celebration embraces the rich cultural tapestry of our city. This dazzling showcase reflects the myriad festivities cherished by our communities, fostering unity and offering visitors a chance to explore the diverse ways people celebrate during this joyous time of year.
What are some unique aspects of this display?
Prepare to be enchanted by our Holiday display's standout feature—custom-made hanging spheres in the Babs Asper Display House. Adorned with dried florals and warm string lighting, these spheres create a mesmerizing spectacle, especially when the sun sets. It's like a celestial dance of lights!
Plants play the most important role, of course; what species are featured?
In this display, the Sempervivum, Bromeliad, and Cyclamen take center stage. A succulent holiday tree in the Mediterranean Biome, a Bromeliad tree flourishing in the Tropical Biome, and delicate Cyclamen cultivars like Rose Eye and Bright Scarlet add a touch of elegance to the overall display.
How does this display relate to the overall vision of The Leaf to showcase our diversity expressed through plants that shape our lives here and across the globe?
In 2024, our display themes at The Leaf are united by a common thread—cultural diversity. "Celebration" is a kaleidoscope of colour and elements specific to Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice. Beyond the festivities, our commitment is to represent diverse cultures through culturally significant plant materials and designs. It's an opportunity for prairie dwellers to learn about plants and customs from around the world, fostering a deeper connection with our global community.
What do you hope people will take away from this display?
My wish is that people feel the warmth of the experience. While the show dazzles with holiday cheer, I hope that visitors also take a moment to reflect on their accomplishments from the year. Beyond the festivities, let this display be a celebration of individual growth and the shared joy of the holiday season!
Some fun facts:
- 675 poinsettias, 170 cyclamen, and 50 bromeliads have been used in the display
- Approximately 15,000 individual lights are on the display
- Our staff spent upwards of 500 hours putting this display together, and have been planning since spring
Visit Celebration at The Leaf until January 7!
