chicago — A soft layer of white snow covers the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The air is cold and the sky is grey.
Inside, the air is warm and the lights illuminate more than 10,000 brightly colored orchids. Staff move in and out of the greenhouses, preparing for the opening of the park’s twelfth house Annual Orchid Show on saturday.
This year’s theme is “Feelin’ Groovy” with several 1970s-themed installations, including a yellow Volkswagen Beetle filled with orchids.
“It’s a really great way to get out of the cold of winter and come into our greenhouses,” said Jodi Zumbolo, associate vice president of visitor events and programs. “I think people are really looking for something that brings them joy and something that they enjoy and find weird.”
Horticulture expert Jason Toth said the orchid family is one of the largest families in the plant world and some of the species in the exhibit are rare. One example is Angraecum sesquipedale, also known as Darwin’s orchid, on display in the Western Gallery.
The orchid led Darwin to the correct conclusion that pollinators had adapted to reach the very long end of the flower, Toth said.
“It’s a great story and a very cool look,” Toth said.
Elsewhere, huge, sinister roots dangle from the purple, pink and yellow orchids in the southern greenhouse. These orchids grow on the surface of trees rather than in the soil.
“I think everyone is tired of winter,” Toth said. “So having some kind of flower show at this point is what we’re all craving. And orchids fit the bill.”
The exhibition is expected to attract 85,000 visitors this year.