Fanciful spring flower shows are 'bloomin' all over town

Chicago is blooming all over with great flower shows beginning with the showrooms of the Chicago Park District’s beloved conservatories. They are open for visitors to marvel at two unique shows now through Mother’s Day, May 12. The Lincoln Park Conservatory, located at 2391 N. Stockton Dr., will host “Sweet Gnome Chicago.” Meanwhile, the Garfield Park Conservatory, located at 300 N. Central Park Ave., will host “What’s in a Name?” (For tickets/more info, click here)

The Chicago Botanic Garden's popular orchid show has returned with a fanciful circus theme, now through March 24. (For tickets, more info, click here)

More details below:

“Sweet Gnome Chicago” at the Lincoln Park Conservatory: “Sweet Gnome Chicago!” The Spring Flower Show combines flowers and fun to celebrate all that is Spring! Nearly 300 gnomes of many sizes and materials will hang out in all the display houses, with a particular focus on the Show House.  There, vignettes of whimsical creatures are set amongst vibrant and gorgeous spring flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs.  Visitors can enjoy Foxy Foxtrot Tulips, Garden Party Lilies, Blueberry Thrill Violas, and hundreds of other blooming beauties.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit this link to book a time for the whole family to admire “Sweet Gnome Chicago.” The show runs from Valentine’s Day, February 14 to Mother’s Day, May 12. The Gnomes featured in this Spring’s flower show were made through the Park District’s ceramic program. Then, each gnome was painted by adult and child groups. At the conclusion of “Sweet Gnome Chicago,” the gnomes will be sold through the Lincoln Park Conservancy to raise money for the Conservatory.

“What’s in a Name” at the Garfield Park Conservatory:

This year’s Spring Flower Show, "What’s in a Name?", explains the history and science of botanical nomenclature alongside a beautiful flower show full of blooms. Plant names are an important way of communicating history, culture, and identity. In addition, because there are many plants with the same common name, or many common names for the same plant, knowing the botanical name helps people know exactly which plant is which. Learn about how to identify plants amongst stunning spring blooms like Tulipa ‘Rococo’, Lilium ‘Josephine’, Viola ‘Matrix Yellow’ and Anemone ‘Giant Blue Poppy’.

The Garfield Park Conservatory is open Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The show runs now to Mother’s Day, May 12. (Tickets/more info here)

Chicago Botanic Garden's Orchid Show - A grandiose dose of silliness and fun

Step right up to The Orchid Show of Wonders, where your favorite carnival and circus attractions come to life in new ways. You’ll walk under Ferris wheel seats, and marvel at unicycles on tightropes and other gravity-defying surprises under the big top. This Botanic Garden Orchid Show in Highland Park will whisk you away to a whimsical world of 10,000 fresh, vibrant blooms. (Now through March 24, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL.) For tickets, more info, click here)

Orchid Show Tickets  

Adult: $10 Member/$21 Nonmember  

Children 3 – 12 yrs. : $7 Member/$14 Nonmember  

Children 2 and under: Free