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AROID HOUSE

Indoor gardeners are sure to find something familiar here; many aroids are popular houseplants. A variety of aroids growing in a landscape setting are on display. A spectacular new feature is the "Persian Pool", sixteen yellow lily pads surrounding a serene lagoon, which was created by the world acclaimed glass artist Chihuly expressly for the Aroid House.

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CHILDREN'S GARDEN

 

Indoors, The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden provides a fun and comfortable setting for families and school children. A giant, meandering vine with larger-than-life sized roots, seed, leaves and flower provides opportunities for children to play while learning about plants. Families are welcome at this haven for children with its interactive displays.

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DESERT HOUSE

The Desert House holds one of the region's most varied collections of cacti and succulents. These plants owe their popularity to their spectacular and unique forms, the promise of brilliant, short-lived flowers and their ability to withstand harsh, dry conditions. The size of plants in this room varies from the tiny stone plant to the large hedge cactus.

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FERN ROOM

 

Jens Jensen, who designed the Conservatory in 1906, wanted to give visitors a glimpse of what Illinois might have looked like millions of years ago. Lush ferns, rocky outcroppings and an indoor lagoon evoke the swampy landscape of prehistoric Chicago. The Fern Room is home to the palm-like cycad; one of the oldest species of plants on earth.

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HORTICULTURE HALL

 

Along with the Show House this room is the site of spectacular flower shows each year: the Azalea, Spring, Summer, Chrysanthemum and Holiday Shows. All of the plant material displayed in the shows is grown at the Conservatory. Available for rent the hall is now sparkling with holiday lights and blooming with festive flowers and greenery.

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PALM HOUSE

 

Designed as an idealized tropical landscape, it's where graceful palms, interspersed with a variety of other tropicals, soar up to a vaulted ceiling. This room features a rare Double Coconut Palm which is probably the largest of its kind in any conservatory in the country. In 2003 the Palm House underwent a restoration of its structure and plant collection.

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SHOW HOUSE

 

Along with the Horticulture Hall this room is the site of spectacular flower shows each year: the Azalea, Spring, Summer, Chrysanthemum and Holiday Shows. All of the plant material displayed in the shows is grown at the Conservatory. Available for rent the house is now sparkling with holiday lights and blooming with festive flowers and greenery.

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SUGAR FROM THE SUN

 

Stroll through four exotic botanical environments to discover how right now, inside every leaf, plants are capturing sunlight and using it to change small parts of air and water into sugar – the energy that sustains life on Earth.

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Display house and garden photos courtesy of Gene Pierson, photographer.