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Botanical Gardens closed to clean up storm damage, prepare for holidays

Heavy snow caused damage in greenhouses behind the main dome of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The snow shattered 150 glass panes in the back greenhouses. Plywood is temporarily in place to provide cover until the glass can be replaced.

Botanical Gardens President and CEO David Swarts says employees removed shards of glass from the plant beds, but still several plants were destroyed.

“Many of them were annuals or perennials that are commonly replaces. Some of them more significant, we lost some valuable Begonia plants that are part of our collection. Some of the medicinal plants, we have a significant number of ivy plants that were affected, but none of the tropical plants were affected,” said Swarts.  

The gardens will be one week behind in opening its holiday showcase, but Swarts says things are moving forward.

“Hopefully we will begin setting up for the holiday show Tuesday. Hopefully, the train guys will be able to come in sometime this weekend and put in the train display,” said Swarts.     

Several outdoor plants were also destroyed. Swarts says the price tag for the damage will be in the thousands of dollars.

“We’ve been keeping track of every dollar that we spent so far to restore this. I know the county has advised us to keep track of all of our expenses,” said Swarts.

The Botanical Gardens will reopen to the public on Friday.

Check out the storm damage:

http://youtu.be/17JcuUxfRQg