Annual orchids show brings vivid color to Chicago winter

CHICAGO (AP) — A soft layer of white snow blankets the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The air is chilly, the sky gray.

Inside, however, the air is warm and lights illuminate more than 10,000 vividly colored orchids. Staff members move in and out of greenhouses, preparing to open the garden’s 12th annual Orchid Show on Saturday.

This year’s theme is “Feelin’ Groovy" with several installations calling back to the 1970s, including a yellow Volkswagen Beetle filled with orchids.

“It’s just a really great way to get out of the winter cold and come into our greenhouses,” said Jodi Zombolo, associate vice president of visitor events and programs. “I think people are really looking for something to kind of bring happiness and something that they will enjoy and find whimsy in.”

The orchid family is one of the largest in the plant world and some of the species in the show are rare, exhibits horticulturist Jason Toth said. One example is the Angraecum sesquipedale, also known as Darwin’s orchid, on display in the west gallery.

Toth said the orchid led Darwin to correctly conclude that pollinators have adapted in order to reach down the flower's very long end.

"It has a great story and it’s quite remarkable-looking,” said Toth.

Elsewhere, massive, gnarly roots dangle from purple, pink and yellow Vanda orchids in the south greenhouse. These epiphytic orchids grow on the surface of trees instead of in soil.

“I think everyone’s tired of the winter,” said Toth. “So having some kind of flower show at this point is what we’re all craving. And 'Orchids' fits the bill.”

The show is expected to draw 85,000 visitors this year.

Aliceara orchids grow in a greenhouse as finishing touches are placed on the 12th annual Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Glencoe, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Exhibits horticulturist Jason Toth holds the roots of a large Vanda orchid as finishing touches are placed on the 12th annual Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Glencoe, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A Paphiopedilum orchid is on display as finishing touches are placed on the 12th annual Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Glencoe, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Orchids adorn a Volkswagon Beetle as finishing touches are placed on the 12th annual Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Glencoe, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A Phalaenopsis orchid is on display as finishing touches are placed on the 12th annual Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Glencoe, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points, Anfernee Simons added 19 points off the bench and Philadelphia 76ers proved they could win without stars LeBron James and Joel Embiid, battling back to beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-104 on Saturday night.

Jaylen Brown, who was considered a game-time decision, started and finished with 16 points for the 76ers.

The sellout crowd of 19,533 at the Spectrum Center didn’t get to see James and Embiid play as the 76ers rested both players one night after beating the New York Knicks 98-93 in an intense NBA Cup game.

Grayson Allen had 27 points off the bench on 7-of-10 shooting from 3-point range for the Hornets, while Brandon Miller added 24 points on five 3s.

Charlotte seized the momentum when Miller blocked V.J. Edgecombe's layup with five minutes left, then threw a perfect bounce pass to Moussa Diabate on the other end for a dunk off a pick and roll to put the Hornets up 97-90.

But the 76ers chipped away behind two buckets from Simons and took the lead for good with 1:22 left on a pair of free throws by Maxey. Philadelphia pushed the lead to 105-101 when Edgecombe knocked down a 3 from the left wing.

Charlotte's Sion James missed an uncontested layup with 24 seconds left and Maxey added two free throws to increase the lead to six. Miller cut the lead in half with seven seconds left, but Brown iced the game with two free throws with 5.2 seconds left.

The 76ers shot 40% from beyond the arc to overcome a 15 of 23 shooting night from the foul line.

The Hornets were also playing on the second night of a back-to-back and remain without point guard Coby White (calf) and shooting guard Kon Knueppel (hamstring).

76ers: Host Chicago on Monday night.

Hornets: Host Detroit on Monday night.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Charlotte Hornets center Naz Reid, left, drives into Philadelphia 76ers forward Dean Wade during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, left, drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets guard Grayson Allen shoots a jump shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Dean Wade during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets guard Grayson Allen (8) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Anfernee Simons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)