While a thick blanket of winter snow might keep even die-hard gardeners out of yard work for now, a visit to one of the many Midwestern glasshouse gardens may help you get your plant fix. In addition to seasonal plant displays, many of these gardens offer classes, art exhibits and other ways to beat the winter doldrums.

Indianapolis
White River Gardens, (www.whiterivergardens.com/) 317-630-3252. Visit the “Holiday Trainland” exhibit in the Hilbert Conservatory through Dec. 30. The collection of model trains is set among tropical plants and the Purdue University Poinsettia Cultivar trials.

Indianapolis Museum of Art, (www.ima-art.org/) 317-920-2660. Winter at the Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens features a beautiful winter landscape outdoors and seasonal holiday decorations indoors.

Garfield Park Conservatory, (www.garfieldgardensconser vatory.org/) 317-327-7184. Though the conservatory’s poinsettia show ends Dec. 16, the plants are on sale Dec. 17-24.

Fort Wayne
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, (www.botanicalconservatory.org/) 260-427-6440. Victorian Holiday Poinsettia Showcase through Jan. 8.

Chicago Area
Garfield Conservatory (Chicago), (www.garfield-conserva tory.org/) 312-746-5100. Holiday Flower Fest through Jan. 8.

Lincoln Park Conservatory (Chicago), (www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/) 312-742-7736. Winter Flower and Train Show through Jan. 8.

Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe), (www.chicago-botanic.org/) 847-835-5440. The greenhouse gardens range from a tropical rain forest to desert cacti gardens.

Morton Arboretum (Lisle), (www.mortonarb.org/) 630-968-0074. Madrigal dinners, model trains, snowshoeing and Evergreen Express trolley tours.

Cincinnati
Krohn Conservatory, (www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/ pages/-3452-/) 513-352-4080. Bavarian Holiday through Jan. 1.

Civic Garden Center, (www.civicgardencenter.org/) 513-221-0981. Published in the December 21, 2005 issue of Farm World.