The Lincoln Park Conservatory’s Spring Flower Show, “Pillars of Spring” invites visitors to imagine gardens in a different way – vertically.  The show demonstrates that plant lovers can engage in their passion by planting from the ground upwards.  The display will make you stand up and take notice of vertical gardens. Vertical elements include walls and more than a dozen freestanding pillars covered in cool-season flowers such as geraniums, nemesias, snapdragons, and fuchsias.  Azaleas and camellias will fill the room with beauty and elegance and visions of spring.  The show opens Saturday, February 26, 2022 and runs through Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022 at Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 Stockton Dr.

Timed-entry will be available during the hours of operation; Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Online registration will be available at Lincoln Park Conservatory 2022 Spring Flower Show. Pre-registration is required. Admission is free with a suggested donation.  

Lincoln Park Conservatory horticulturalists are adding a worldwide collection of plants to this year’s show, including Ivy Geranium, native to South Africa; Cymbidium Orchids, native to Asia and Australia; Hellebores, native to Central and Southern Europe; and False Goat’s Beard, native to North America.  Special hybridized plants include Orienpet Lilies and Baptisia.  Peonies, daffodils, Foxglove and Larkspur varieties will also adorn the showcase. 

“This year’s Spring Flower Show will give Chicagoans a much-needed respite from the Chicago winter and provide gardening ideas for small, urban gardens,” said Chicago Park District Interim Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. “The goal of this showcase is to increase our visitors’ awareness of how to use vertical elements to create living walls to grow plants.”

Planting vertically is a growing trend, especially in urban settings where space is limited. This concept allows residents without access to yards to grow plants in their apartments and balconies. 

Consider the following to start growing plants vertically:  •    Identify space(s) and determine the amount of sun it gets;  •    Determine which plants to grow that will work with that light;  •    Find or build structures that can hold either soil and/or support plants.

Repurpose household items to build an indoor or outdoor vertical garden. Our horticulturalist suggest the following ideas: •    Stack milk crates to house tomato plants/vines; •    Use a chain link fence to support squash vines planted at the base; •    Hang pots from a fence; •    Grow vines or climbing roses in arbors; •    Purchase living wall components that hold soil.

Due to local public health guidelines, pre-registration and proof vaccination for visitors ages 5 years and up are required. Proof can include a physical vaccine card, a photocopy of the card, a digital record or app on your phone, or a printed record from a vaccine provider. Those 16 and over must also show a photo ID. 

Please note that masks are required and must be worn over your mouth and nose for the entirety of the visit. Walk-ups are welcome if there is space available. Reservations are added each day at 10 a.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and can be made for parties of up to nine people. 

A total of 15 guests will be allowed entry every 15 minutes to allow for social distancing. Each visitor will have 60 minutes to enjoy the entire Conservatory.

For more information and to reserve your entry, visit https://bit.ly/LPCSpring2022.

City of Chicago Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor

Chicago Park District  Board of Commissioners Rosa Escareño, Interim General Superintendent & CEO