The Chicago Flower & Garden Show broke all attendance records with its sixth annual show, attracting 169,290 over the 10-day show.

     Held March 11 to 19 at the Navy Pier in Chicago, this year's show featured 27 theme gardens, including the entries from the Chicago Park District Conservatory, with its replica of Monet in Giverny, France, the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners' authentic Native American garden and village from the 1500s, and Craig Bergmann's Country Garden's English garden maze with over 2,000 linear feet of evergreen hedges.

     Visitors could choose from over 90 how-to lectures featuring well-known home improvement experts, as well as previews from Brookfield Zoo and John G. Shedd Aquarium of their summer exhibitions. Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden provided helpful gardening advice and tips for the novice and seasoned gardener, and family-oriented activities included cooking demonstrations, planting and woodworking projects, and a presentation from the Chicago's Lookingglass Theater. Interactive activities conducted by the Shedd Aquarium educated visitors about the Amazon River, while Morton Arboretum held a children's treasure hunt in which participants gathered interesting gardening and environment facts before reaching a special treasure from the arboretum.

     Top floral designers were on hand in a "Tablescapes" display, which saw them team up with home accessory retailers to create memorable and unique table settings. Also on display were masterpiece urns created by Chicago artists who took part in a "Cows on Parade" exhibit in summer 1999. Curated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the masterpiece urns represented the artists' interpretation of flowers.

     The 2001 Chicago Flower & Garden Show runs March 10 to 18 at the Navy Pier. For more information, call (312) 321-0077 or visit www.chicagoflower.com.