Floral clock, Floral clock at Capitol Avenue in Frankfort, Kentucky, US
The floral clock in Frankfort is a 34-foot wide construction whose face is filled with over 10,000 blooms suspended above a reflective pool at a 26-degree angle. The mechanism adjusts hourly to keep accurate time, while state horticulturists maintain rotating seasonal plantings such as Joseph's coat and begonias.
Governor Bert T. Combs initiated the clock's construction in 1961 after witnessing a similar timepiece during his visit to Edinburgh, Scotland. This Scottish inspiration resulted in the creation of one of the nation's most distinctive floral timekeeping installations.
The floral timepiece displays the word 'Kentucky' on its face and serves as a gathering spot for residents and visitors exploring the State Capitol grounds. People often stop here to take photographs and experience the changing seasons through the rotating blooms.
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon when sunlight shows off the blooms and crowds are thinner. The installation sits in an open area of the Capitol grounds with easy access for viewing and photography.
Visitors toss coins into the surrounding water pool, and the collected money funds scholarships for horticulture students at the University of Kentucky. This transforms the installation into a place where guests directly support an educational program.
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