Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Rare-Plant Auction Raises Money for
Plant Research and Living Laboratories

Friday, June 3, 2011

 

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


GLENCOE, Ill. (Jan. 11, 2011) – Unusual, hard-to-find and rare plants from around the world, as well as fine collectibles and exciting domestic trips, will be auctioned during A Rare Affair™: A Collectors’ Auction of Unique Botanical Offerings. Hosted by the Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society, the eighth biennial event begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction. The auction will include plants that are not readily available, those gleaned from foreign collecting expeditions, new introductions and private collections, perhaps including plants of novel size or form. After an elegant dinner in McGinley Pavilion overlooking the Gardens of the Great Basin, Steven J. Zick, president of Christie's Fine Art Auctioneers, will lead the climactic live-auction portion of the evening. Co-chairs of the event are Louellen Murray and Kitty Kirby.

Ticket price is $250. Proceeds will support the care and maintenance of three living laboratories: the Woman’s Board Rainwater Glen, The Ellis Goodman Family Foundation Green Roof Garden South, and the Josephine P. & John J. Louis Foundation Green Roof Garden North. Proceeds also support research and evaluation of the best plants for rain gardens and green roof gardens throughout the Midwest as well as in similar climates worldwide. For more information call (847) 835-8375.

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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.