for immediate release

Fantastic Fall Orchids

Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16

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

GLENCOE, Ill. (Aug. 16, 2011) — Visitors can enjoy the color and fragrance of beautiful fall orchids at Fantastic Fall Orchids, the Illinois Orchid Society's fall orchid mini-show and sale on Oct. 15 and 16, at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Tabletop displays of orchids grown by members of the Illinois Orchid Society and other orchid societies will be artistically arranged in the Greenhouse Galleries. Individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for red, white, and blue ribbons. Twenty-five entries will receive "best of class" green ribbons.

Illinois Orchid Society members and local orchid greenhouses will have plants for sale. This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to add to their orchid collections at very affordable prices. Other items available for purchase include supplies and equipment, books, and orchid-related art, photographs, and jewelry.
A repotting service to help get plants back on the right track will be available for a $5 fee. Orchid experts will be on hand to answer questions about how to care for orchids. Children's activities will entertain young orchid enthusiasts.

The show will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with a special hour for photographers on Sunday at 9 a.m. Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20; 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.

The Illinois Orchid Society holds its meetings, which are open to the public, on the second Sunday of the month. Meeting dates are subject to change. For more information on plant society meetings, call (847) 835-8284. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/plantshows for more information.

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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.

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

Interact with the Garden for this and other Garden events and programs:

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The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens and four natural areas. 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.