FOPCON Plant Exchange
Sat, Sept 18

FOPCON’s annual Fall Perennial and Houseplant Exchange will take place in September at the Conservatory. From 9:30 to 11:30am, anyone can drop off divided perennial plants at the alley gate south of the conservatory. Exchangers will receive a coupon for each potted donation. Please label your plants with its common name and color and include its botanical name if possible.

At 12:00 noon, the gates will reopen and shoppers will be able to redeem their coupons for new additions to their gardens from Noon to 12:30pm. This is a great way to share the bounty of your garden with others while discovering new plants for your own yard. Remind your friends and relatives about this fun activity. If you have an organization that would be interested in any of our leftovers, please have them come at 12:30pm for plants for their school, church or community gardens. The more the merrier!

A Lesson in Urban Restoration
Sat, Sept 18

Join Vic Guarino to hear his personal account of the Thatcher Woods Savanna Restoration Proeject; its history, mission and workday activities. Mr. Guarino is the Forest Preserve District of Cook County site steward and co-founder of the restoration project. He will guide us through the process of restoring the green oasis of Thatcher Woods in the heart of a dense urban environment. The presentation will include a discussion of the geologic setting, the land's history, native flora and the historic monuments and buildings found in the woods.

Hardy Bulb Sale
Sat, Oct 9

Here is an opportunity to purchase premium hardy bulbs in unusual varieties not found at the big box stores. Choose from tulip, narcissus, hyacinths and many others in varieties chosen by the Garden Club members and conservatory staff for their beauty, fragrance and hardiness. Enjoy these trouble free bulbs for years to come. Shop early while supplies are abundant.

Pre-sale orders will be accepted through September 15th, by mail or email. We accept credit cards (Visa & Mastercard), checks or money orders made out to the Park District of Oak Park. Send your orders to the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, Il. 60304.

Order forms are available at the Conservatory or by contacting henriettay@oakparkparks.com

Featured Artist: Linda Boardman
July & August 2010

The Oak Park Conservatory is pleased to show the work of acrylic painter, Linda Boardman during the month of July. Linda has a BA degree in art from Elmhurst College and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since 2005, Linda has been painting various birds, especially owls and crows, which are reoccurring images and symbols in her dreams. She will dream about an image and then begin the process of transferring the dream into art. Linda states, “The process is exciting, challenging and at times surprising. The finished work is often different from what had been initially envisioned. I see painting as a process of moving back and forth: Painting with the dreaming eye, then stepping back and looking with the critical eye at formal aspects of the work – composition, color and line.”

Linda works with acrylic paint on unstretched canvas that is tacked to the wall, painted in layers and then using rags and rubbing alcohol she works through top layers of the paint to reveal areas of earlier color and shape.

Fairies in the Fern Room
Through summer 2010

Visit the Fern Room at the Conservatory where fairies have taken up residence! A while back the staff at the Conservatory saw a little girl put something in the rocks in the Fern Room. It was a note wondering if fairies were there. Well…the fairies have arrived. Come see them and their tiny houses, and read fairy poems by English writer and artist, Cicely Mary Barker. It is truly a magical experience for you and your little one.

Discover the Exploration Station - FREE program
Every Saturday from 10am to Noon, docents will offer the Exploration Station! There is a new program every month highlighting special aspects of the Oak Park Conservatory for both adults and children. See what topics will be discussed next....

August - "CSI Plants":  CSI Plants stands for “Construction Scene Investigation”.  What do people do behind the scenes at the conservatory?  All the plants are gone from the tropical room because we are renovating it, but where are they.  This calls for an investigation.

September - "Traveling Seeds": Seeds have ingenious methods of getting around. Maple pinwheels fly, coconuts float, burrs cling to people and animals. Learn more about how seeds are transported around the world.

October - "Changing Seasons": In the fall, leaves turn beautiful colors and fall from many trees. In the spring, many shrubs and trees flower. Why does this happen?

November - "Roots": All plants have roots. Some roots are tiny; others huge. Just what do roots do? How do they work?

December - "Animal Plants": Have you seen a kangaroo paw or an elephant ear? Both of these are popular names for two plants. Learn about these and many other "animal plants."

FOPCON Annual Mumfest:
November 2010

You are invited to enjoy the beautiful Chrysanthemums on display at the Oak Park Conservatory as the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory present their Annual Mumfest.

Winter Holiday Craft Faire & Open House
Sun, Dec 5
Noon to 4pm

Seasonal floral displays, Santa Claus, and an expanded craft faire at the Oak Park Conservatory. Forced Paper White Narcissus, poinsettias and door swags will be on sale.

KidFest
A Family Event
March 2011

Join us in celebrating the "Happy BirdDay" of George, our double yellow-head Amazon parrot, who lives in the Conservatory's Tropical Garden House. This family event is free and includes hands-on educational activities for children and a chance for them to explore a tropical rain forest and other eco-climates. You can also get a jump on springtime by enjoying some of the early spring flowers on display at the conservatory.

22nd Annual Herb and Scented Plant Sale
Saturday, May 7
8am to 5pm

The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory annual fund raising plant sale will offer a huge variety of plants for every gardener's yard. This two-day sale will be held on Friday, May 6 from 10am to 8pm for FOPCON members and Saturday, May 7 from 10am to 5pm for the public. In addition to pre-sale privileges, FOPCON members receive a subscription to our quarterly newsletter, Conservatory Conversations and 10% discounts at our retail partners and much more. For more information check out our website at www.fopcon.org and to become a member, call 708-725-2460.

Spring Perennial Plant & Seedling Exchange
May 2011

Join other gardeners and share your favorite plants at the Friends of Oak Park Conservatory sponsored annual plant exchange. Drop off material from 9:30 to 11:30am at the Conservatory. Come back to pick up plants from Noon to 1pm!

Annual Oak Park & River Forest Garden Walk
June 2011

This annual event is sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory and the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest. A variety of lovely gardens will feature stunning water features, innovative vegetable gardens, creative container garden combinations and much more. Ticket prices are $15/person in advance and $18/person on the day of the walk. They will go on sale starting May 1 at various locations throughout Oak Park including the Conservatory . Mail orders will also be accepted via the Garden Club. For more details please call the Conservatory at 386-4700.

Monthly Featured Floral Displays
Every month, come and experience a new breathtaking floral display at the Conservatory; an exhilarating respite from the everyday world!

January - Azaleas & Amaryllis
February - Azaleas & Amaryllis
March & April - "Spring" Flower Show, featuring snapdragons, stocks, sweet peas & spring bulbs

April - Herb Preview Show
May - Fuchsias

June - Hydrangeas

September - Exotic Foliage plants
October - Leonotus (Lions Weed)
November - Chrysanthemums
December - Paper White Narcissi and Poinsettia