Road Trips Gardeners spend the winter months dreaming of what they’ll be growing in their gardens come spring. But, that planning can only take a dedicated horticulturalist so far. There’s got to be a bit of actual greenery amidst the daydreams!

That’s when a trip to a conservatory comes in handy. Sort of oversized terraria, these mostly desert or tropical gardens under glass are the perfect antidote to the winter blues.

Here are some great places to anticipate summer:

The Como Park Conservatory is part of the Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota. You can marvel at the trees under the Palm Dome, then nip outside to watch polar bears frolicking in the snow.

The miniature garden railway in the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, will be running through March 13, 2011.

The Franklin Park Conservatory tempers its plants with glass. A collection of works by Dale Chihuly — plus an active hot shot — bring a blast of heat to the trip to this Columbus (Ohio) garden spot.

Garfield Park Conservatory in Indianapolis, Indiana, features a rainforest.

Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory is gearing up for it’s Spring Flower Show, set for January 29 through May 8, 2011.

New in the Tropical Forest at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a display showing that grows at the headwaters of the Amazon.

Check out the tropical ferns at Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle, Washington, or maybe marvel at the palm trees.

(Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago, Illinois)