While the palm trees, the Fern Room, the glass Chihuly installation & the Spring flower show are all very eye-catching… I’m always drawn to the Cactus Room full of crazy-cool textures, colors & patterns. Amazed by how the tough terrain & arid conditions can have all of these amazing plants, flowers & new Spring growth all under one glass roof at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Yesterday afternoon was a great time to play hooky! With my college friends Kel & Kelly in town with some kids… and the Mimi too! They asked if I could join them at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Turns out… I COULD!!! So we had a great time touring the greenhouses seeing lots of beautiful plants & flowers under the landmark conservatory glass ceilings.

Making me even more anxious for Spring to finally catch-up & make some plants start growing in my yard!!! I’m tired of gray & brown… I want some GREEN in my life!!!

My favorite part of the Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden was the section dedicated to the Holi Festival. Wonderful orchid arrangements on the walks, dramatic lighting & colorful powders splattered everywhere!!! During Holi, a Hindu festival celebrating Spring and the triumph of good over evil, people throw colored powder & water at each other as a joyful and symbolic act of unity, forgiveness & the celebration of new beginnings.

Something it seems like we all could use a bit of these days!!!

Not quite sure what plant this was… but I think it was my favorite one there! Not part of the Orchid Show per se… but this huge vine is growing up & over a large doorway with these humongous dangling clusters of flowers… in the coolest color ever. A greenish-bluish-seafoamyish color I felt I might have never even seen before?!!!

In one greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden, you are greeted by an oversized orchid peacock… gently hidden behind a curtain of white flower garlands. Stunning… especially the detailing on the head & neck.

One of the greenhouses at the Orchid Show had these amazing floral baskets hanging from the ceiling. Strings of floral garlands all together supporting large baskets of orchids. So beautiful… complete with an orchid “chandelier” hanging from the ceiling too!!!

It was an unbelievably beautiful visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden for the annual Orchid Show. Stunning orchids everywhere!!! With a theme of “INDIA BLOOMS” there were a few displays designed to show traditional Indian culture & rituals. Every corner, every nook, every cranny… incredible orchids everywhere you looked!!! It may have been cold & snowy outside… but inside Spring was in full bloom!!!

A LOT of photos of a LOT of orchids… so take your time & enjoy!!!

With some beautiful Spring weather today… I’m ready for some flowers to be blooming in my garden. Too soon??? Well until then… I guess I’ll have to be happy with a few clay flowers I made tonight in class!

Bright & sunny… with the Sunday sunshine playing nicely on the orchids in my dining room!

Another “floral surprise” today… my Thanksgiving Cactus has decided to bloom all over again?! This is the exact same cactus plant that was in full bloom for my Holiday Home Show back in November!!! Guess it got tired of just sitting around being green? Time to show off a bit!!! And again… I think it’s all about the handmade flower pot that keeps the plant happy. Just sayin’…