February Programs & Events

Age of Azaleas Spring Flower Show
Saturday, Feb. 2 through Sunday, May 11
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, until 8 p.m. on Thursdays
The 2008 Centennial Flower Shows include a number of historical plants and themes that reflect a century of American culture and horticulture, and pay tribute to the Conservatory's long, illustrious past. The first half of the Spring Show features azaleas, some descended from those in the Columbian Exposition of 1893. The second half highlights hydrangeas. More than 5,000 bulbs, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, will be in bloom in the Show House.

Museum of Botany: Plants Have Ancestors
Saturday, Feb. 2 through Sunday, May 11
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, until 8 p.m. on Thursdays
As a tribute to the Conservatory's historic role as the Museum of Botany (a name bestowed by the City of Chicago in 1931), a section of the Show House becomes a botanical museum. This living time capsule not only displays important plants of past decades, but addresses botanical concepts that bring to the forefront the role a conservatory plays in the enduring connection between people and plants.

ChocolateFest
Saturday, Feb. 9 and Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bring the family to Chicago's greatest celebration of chocolate. The Garfield Park Conservatory and Chicago Park District invite you to discover the origins of chocolate and candy at the ninth annual event, which features candy confection sales, a candy evolution exhibit, candy education stations, kids valentine card making, live demonstrations and more to delight taste buds and minds. Suggested donation is $1.

Family Make-and-Take Activity: Centennial Celebrations

Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (no sessions on Feb. 9 and 10)
Visit the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden to make and take home an activity celebrating plants of the past, present and future. Themes in February include: See-Through-Seed Bracelets on Feb. 2 and 3; "Scent”-ennial Celebration: Chocolate Chuckers on Feb. 16 and 17; and Pound-a-Plant Bookmark on Feb. 23 and 24.

Family Exploration Station: Past, Present and Future of Plants
Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stop by the dig-pit and the sensory cart in the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden for hands-on, multi-sensory activities that peak curiosity about horticulture and the history of plants.  Read a plant's future by taking the seed id quiz, explore a plant's past by digging for plant fossils in the soil table, and get a close-up of the green and growing present by viewing specially colored leaves on the light table. Themes vary throughout the year, but all are tied to the centennial celebration. 

Mobile Exploration Station: Conservatory Birthday Booth
Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Help blow out birthday candles for the Conservatory at this historically-themed discovery cart. Decorate a special conservatory cake in preparation for the 100th birthday, check out special "scentennial” plant specimens and get to know famous people, plants and places by viewing a portable suitcase of Conservatory memories.

Hunting for History Scavenger Hunt
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, until 8 p.m. on Thursdays
Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk and travel back in time. During the self-guided hunt, use educational hints and photo details to discover exciting historical secrets, meet centennial celebrities (both plant and mineral) and have an old-fashioned good time.

Weekend Plant Clinic
Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners answer gardening questions in the Conservatory's front lobby. Or call the hotline at 773-233-0476 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Morning Glories for Families
Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon
Preschoolers and caregivers are invited to the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden for a weekly drop-in activity and story time. Each project takes 15-20 minutes.

Morning Glories for Schools
Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon
Larger groups or classes of preschoolers are invited to the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden to enjoy a project together. To schedule a visit, call 773-638-1766, ext. 25.