The Perry Conservatory - Norfolk Botanical Garden

The mission of the Perry Conservatory is to inspire stewardship of the natural world through plant conservation, education, and immersive experiences while protecting some of the world’s most endangered plants.

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Arid House

The Arid House showcases the remarkable diversity and resilience of desert plants, from sculptural cacti to other drought-adapted species. By recreating dryland environments and housing rare and threatened plants, it reveals the unique strategies these species use to thrive and underscores the importance of conserving fragile arid ecosystems.

Fishook Barrel Cactus

The Fishook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) has stout, ribbed body that is covered in a dense armor of spines – including distinctive curved hooks that give the plant it’s common name. These hooked spines help protect it from herbivores searching for food while also casting small shadows that reduce surface heat.

Baobab Tree

Baobabs (Adansonia digitata) are legendary trees known for their massive trunks, immense longevity, and importance to both wildlife and human communities. Often called the “Tree of Life,” they store water, food, and shelter within their enormous forms.

African Ocotillo

The African Ocotillo (Alluaudia procera), with its deliberately thorny coral-like branches is near twin to the ocotillo native to the southwest semi-arid regions of North America.

Tropical House

The Tropical House immerses visitors in the warmth and lush beauty of the tropics, showcasing diverse plant life from rainforest ecosystems while providing a protected home for rare and endangered species. Through vibrant displays and educational interpretation, it highlights the importance of conserving tropical habitats and the extraordinary plants they sustain.

Lipstick Palm

The lipstick palm (Cyrtostachys renda) is often considered one of the most visually striking palms in the world, instantly recognizable by its vivid red leaf stems and crown shafts.

Royal Hawaiian Variegated Banana

The Royal Hawaiian Variegated Banana (Musa ‘Ae Ae’) is one of the rarest bananas in the world, prized for its dramatic white-and-green striped leaves.

Traveler's Palm

The traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is striking tropical plant famous for its fan-shaped arrangement of leaves. Native to Madagascar, it is often associated with travelers because rainwater can collect at the base of its leaves as a source of hydration when others are not available. The leaf fan often aligns east-west.