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CHICAGO — <\/span>A soft layer of white snow blankets the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The air is chilly, the sky gray.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 12th annual Orchid Show<\/a> on Saturday. <\/p>\n This year\u2019s theme is \u201cFeelin\u2019 Groovy” with several installations calling back to the 1970s, including a yellow Volkswagen Beetle filled with orchids.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just a really great way to get out of the winter cold and come into our greenhouses,\u201d said Jodi Zombolo, associate vice president of visitor events and programs. \u201cI think people are really looking for something to kind of bring happiness and something that they will enjoy and find whimsy in.\u201d<\/p>\n The orchid family is one of the largest on 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\u2019s orchid, on display in the west gallery.<\/p>\n Toth said the orchid led Darwin to correctly conclude that pollinators have adapted in order to reach down the flower’s very long end. <\/p>\n “It has a great story and it\u2019s quite remarkable-looking,\u201d said Toth.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everyone\u2019s tired of the winter,\u201d said Toth. \u201cSo having some kind of flower show at this point is what we\u2019re all craving. And orchids fits the bill.\u201d<\/p>\n The show is expected to draw 85,000 visitors this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n