for immediate release

Shop for Spring Blooms at The Bulb Bazaar

Chicago Botanic Garden, Oct. 2 – 4

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213, direct
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Aug. 6, 2009)—Choose from more than 200 varieties of bulbs and get expert planting advice at the Bulb Bazaar from Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4. Garden horticulturists and staff offer practical tips and demonstrations that will help make your garden more colorful next spring.

Presented by the Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society for its 10th year, the Bulb Bazaar has the best varieties and largest selection of daffodils, tulips, alliums and other specialty bulbs, including fritillary, hyacinth and autumn crocus, at the perfect time for fall planting. All are carefully researched and selected for their superior performance in midwestern gardens. Bulbs are delivered from Holland just days before the sale. Among this year’s selection are 80 specialty bulbs that are difficult to find anywhere else. A specialized bulb collection for shade will be available.

Through interactive demonstrations and signage, shoppers can get ideas on bulb varieties that perform well together in terms of height, bloom time and color. Chicago Botanic Garden staff, horticulturists, and volunteers are available to answer questions on planting techniques, provide suggestions for using bulbs, or help customize selections for specific needs and interests. Benjamin Carroll, senior horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden will be signing his hand-made pots, which are sold at the Bazaar. These pots are excellent for forcing bulbs to bloom indoors.

The Bulb Bazaar catalog, which is almost an encyclopedia of bulbs, gives detailed information on bulbs and is a useful tool for planning next spring’s garden. The catalog can be obtained online starting in September at www.chicagobotanic.org/bulb and is also available at the sale.

The Bulb Bazaar is from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Special member preview hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, October 2.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. For more information about any of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s programs and events, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.