February Events

Sweet Activities for All Taste Buds Flourish During February!

LISLE, IL (November 24, 2009) - "Celebrating Chocolate" is a month-long joy at The Morton Arboretum.

There'll be sweet and sassy finds for Valentine's Day at The Arboretum Store. Irresistible gifts of chocolate-scented candles, body lotions, and soaps; chocolate treat towel sets; heart-shaped topiaries and more! Come in and see how this sweet treat that grows on trees has inspired all types of gifts for you or your loved ones. All ages, The Arboretum Store.
Daily in February: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Celebrate chocolate with irresistible edibles and unexpected offerings (chocolate facial masks anyone?) that will put you in chocolate paradise! All ages, Visitor's Center.
February 6 and 7: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Have a touch of chocolate throughout your Valentine's Day dinner at the Arboretum! Music, chocolate and the one you love surrounded by the scenes of nature will make a perfect evening. Prices per order, starting at $30/person (discounts for Arboretum members). Tickets are available to the general public starting January 18. All ages. The Ginkgo Room.
February 13: Two seatings: 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Make it a brunch on Valentine's Day with chocolate accents, champagne and live music. Tickets, $30-42, (discounts for Arboretum members) are available to the general public starting January 18. All ages. The Ginkgo Room.
February 14: Three seatings: 9:30 a.m., Noon and 2:30 p.m.

Did you know eating chocolate did not begin until the invention of the cocoa press in 1828? Learn other interesting facts about the rich, natural and cultural history of February's favorite treats! Various displays explain the cacao pods' influence on the world. All ages, Visitor Center.
Daily in February: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Skip, hop and jump your way from Gumdrop Pass to the top of Marshmallow Mountain in the "Candy Garden!" This interactive, drop-in activity will take kids on a quest to find the candy! All ages, the Children's Garden.
February daily and weekends: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Immerse yourself in the fine music of a "Chamber Concert" with the Millar Brass Quintet, known internationally as one of the world's finest brass musical groups. Their performances bring crisp, clean sounds of the classical repertoire that captivate all audiences. Tickets are $28, Arboretum members receive discounts. Call 630-725-2066 or visit www.mortonarb.org to purchase. All ages. Thornhill Education Center.
February 7: 2:15 p.m.

Calling all cool kids! Get out and stretch your legs with "Cool Kids Nature Hikes." Take a 20 minute hike followed by a warm cup of cocoa. Hike theme changes every 2 weeks and depends on weather conditions. All ages. The Children's Garden.
Now - February 28: weekdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and weekends, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Search for gnomes in the Children's Garden this winter in "Gnome Hunt." Bring your best "I Spy" skills to find all 24 gnomes hidden throughout the garden. We'll provide a checklist so you can keep track of them. All ages, the Children's Garden.
Now-February 28 (weather permitting) 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Embrace the snowy season and snowshoe across the Arboretum's winter wonderland. Visitors may bring their own snowshoes to explore the grounds from 7 a.m. to sunset or rent some of ours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the Visitor Center when there is four inches or more on the ground. Quantities are limited and it is first come, first served!
Cost is $8 for up to three hours, discounts for Arboretum members.
Weather permitting

Give your garden a broader palette when you learn to use plants' inherent strengths in your landscapes. "Plants for Sustainable Sites: A Panel Discussion" will offer plant selection and advice to yield a flourishing garden. Cost $50, discounts for Arboretum members. Suitable for late teens and adults. Thornhill Education Center.
February 5: 9 a.m.-noon.

Don't forget to register now for the Midwest Gardening Symposium, March 5-7! Looking for inspiration for next year's garden? Receive tips from Arboretum and other horticulture and landscape design experts at this year's "Midwest Gardening Symposium: People, Plants and the Art of the Garden!" Discover interesting new plants that are beautiful, adapted to our climate, non-invasive, and support wildlife. Plus, learn how to arrange them in artistically inspired beds and borders. Come home with lots of ideas and practical tips for getting started! For full details and registration, visit "Education" www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468. All Ages. Thornhill Education Center.
Registration now open.

Stop wasting time and money with plants that just don't work! Sign up for Selecting "Good Garden Citizens" and learn how to plant smart. Costs $35, discounts for Arboretum members. Suitable for late teens and adults. Thornhill Education Center.
February 6: 1-3 p.m.

How do you interpret the stars? Learn the features of the winter celestial sphere with "Night Sky for Naturalists." Costs $32, discounts for Arboretum members. Suitable for late teens and adults. Thornhill Education Center.
February 9: 6:30-9 p.m.

Take your friends to hear a fun story in "Arbor Reading." All ages, the Arboretum Store.
Fridays January-March: 11 a.m.-11: 20

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges our sponsors: ComEd; Illinois Arts Council; and Edy's Ice Cream, sponsors of Youth and Family Programs.

Unless otherwise specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children's Garden are free with Arboretum admission. The 2009 rates are:
$11/adult, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
$10/senior, ($6 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
$8/child ($5 on Wednesday), ages 2-17
Under age 2 is free
Parking is free

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and education, working to save and plant trees. The 1,700-acre outdoor museum features magnificent collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. Central Time until sunset. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

Media Contact: Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Allison Phelps, 630-719-5768, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it