A fresh layer of snow covers the Chicago Botanic Garden grounds, accompanied by cold temperatures and overcast skies, signaling winter’s grip on the city. Yet inside the garden's greenhouses, visitors are greeted by a contrastingly warm environment illuminated by more than 10,000 brightly hued orchids. Staff members are actively preparing for the commencement of the garden’s 12th annual Orchid Show, set to open on Saturday.
Highlighting the event’s new theme, "Feelin' Groovy," several displays evoke the 1970s, including a visually captivating installation featuring a yellow Volkswagen Beetle overflowing with orchids. Jodi Zombolo, the garden’s associate vice president of visitor events and programs, remarked that the show provides an inviting refuge from the cold winter. She noted that attendees seek uplifting experiences that offer enjoyment and a sense of whimsy during the season.
The orchid family, being among the largest in the botanical world, boasts an array of species, some of which are rare and displayed to the public during the event. Jason Toth, a horticulturist at the garden, identified one such specimen as the Angraecum sesquipedale, commonly called Darwin’s orchid, featured prominently in the west gallery.
Toth explained that this particular orchid influenced Charles Darwin’s understanding that pollinators evolve adaptations to access nectar located at the extremity of the flower’s long spur.
In addition to Darwin’s orchid, visitors can observe impressive root structures hanging from Vanda orchids presented in the south greenhouse. These orchids, characterized by their purple, pink, and yellow colors, are epiphytes that grow upon tree surfaces rather than rooting in soil.
Toth reflected on the cultural significance of the exhibition’s timing, suggesting that a flower show is a welcome antidote to the fatigue people feel during winter months. The orchids offer a vibrant and engaging attraction that meets this seasonal demand. Attendance is expected to reach approximately 85,000 visitors this year.