Wheaton, Ill., November 17, 2015 — The Cantigny Park horticulture department will host its annual Shades of Crimson Poinsettia Display on Tuesday, December 1. Hours are 10 am to 2 pm for this free holiday event at the park’s greenhouse.
Visitors will see 14 varieties of poinsettias in full bloom and about 3,000 plants in all. Horticulture staff members will be on hand to discuss the plants and answer questions. Seasonal refreshments will be served.
Cantigny’s poinsettias are purchased as three-inch-long cuttings, then carefully nurtured and groomed for over six months. Water, fertilizer, light and temperature are each regulated to achieve the spectacular results that visitors will see at the greenhouse.
An “All About Poinsettias” page, including plant care information, is posted at Cantigny.org.
Nearly half of the Cantigny poinsettias go to the Rotary Club of Wheaton A.M., which uses them to raise money for its community projects. Another 400 plants are used for holiday decorating in the museums, restaurants and other buildings throughout the 500-acre Cantigny estate.
Poinsettias will be specially priced for sale at Shades of Crimson. Prices (sales tax included) are $5 for a small plant and $15 for medium. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
After the event, sales to the public will continue at the Cantigny Shop in the Visitors Center and the Cantigny Golf Shop at regular prices. Any unsold plants are donated to local nursing homes and care centers.
Shades of Crimson will include self-guided tours of the greenhouse and light refreshments. There is no fee to attend but advance registration is requested for groups of 10 or more. Visitors may call 630.260.8162.
Parking (no fee) is in the main lot by the Cantigny Visitors Center. From there, visitors may walk to the greenhouse or ride the free shuttle.
While at Cantigny, visitors can also view the “Community Trees” at the Robert R. McCormick Museum. Opening November 25, the exhibit features Christmas trees decorated by seven local non-profit organizations. Admission is free.
Cantigny Park is open daily in November and December from 9 am to sunset. More information, including holiday hours, directions and a calendar of upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org.
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About Cantigny Park
Cantigny Park, part of the nonprofit Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is the 500-acre Wheaton (Illinois) estate of Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It is home to 30 acres of spectacular gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum and a 27-hole championship golf course. All are open to the public. Cantigny also is a favorite destination for special events, weddings, concerts, lectures, workshops and other recreation and learning opportunities for all ages. Full-service banquet and dining facilities are on site. More information, including hours, directions and a calendar of upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org.