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)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Canadian national team midfielder Stephen Eustáquio was acquired by Los Angeles FC on loan from Portugal's Porto on Friday through June 30.

LA has an option to purchase rights of the 29-year-old, who has four goals in 54 international appearances — including three at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He made a pair of starts at the 2022 World Cup, Canada's first appearance at soccer's top tournament since 1986.

LA acquired Eustáquio's Major League Soccer discovery priority from San Jose for $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money.

Eustáquio was born in Leamington, Ontario, and moved to Portugal went he was seven. He played there for Leixões (2017-18), Chaves (2018-19), then moved to Mexico's Cruz Azul in 2019. He played for Portugal's Paços de Ferreira from 2020-21, them went on to Porto.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Porto's Stephen Eustaquio reacts after scoring during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Porto at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia,File)