Annual flower display showcases holiday horticulture

BY ANNA HUGHES | Photos courtesy of Elmhurst Park District

Each December, Elmhurst’s Wilder Park Conservatory transforms into a holiday oasis. Guests can step out of the winter cold and into a world of vibrance, warmth, and a little holiday magic. The annual Holiday Flower Show focuses on poinsettias— “a timeless seasonal flower and a cherished species of horticultural tradition,” Michelle Karabetsos said. Karabetsos, the horticulture supervisor with Elmhurst Park District, said the tradition of seasonal displays at the conservatory dates back to 1964, although some visitors recall memories from as early as the 1950s.

“It’s designed to spark joy, offer a break from the winter cold, and bring people together through the magic of vibrant displays and playful touches,” Karabetsos said.

“It’s more than a display… It’s an invitation to step into the magic of the season.”

— Michelle Karabetsos

Karabetsos is responsible for managing all phases of each display — from conceptual design and planning to technical crop production and final installation. She works alongside three full-time staff members to make each vision come to life.

“The centerpiece is the dazzling poinsettia display, with vibrant reds, soft pinks, and frosty whites accompanied with classic holiday decorations and our hidden pixie elves!” she said.

The 8-foot poinsettia tree is Karabetsos’s favorite part of the holiday display. Although it’s a recurring part of the show, she said its beauty never fails to amaze her.

“It’s more than a display… It’s an invitation to step into the magic of the season,” Karabetsos said.

The Holiday Flower Show runs from December 6, 2025, through January 17, 2026. For more information, visit epd.org.

The Wilder Park Conservatory

Content provided by Michelle Karabetsos, Horticulture Director, Elmhurst Park District.

The Wilder Park Conservatory is a captivating oasis, showcasing a diverse collection of plants within its ever-changing displays and flower shows. Nestled in the southwest corner of Wilder Park, in the heart of Elmhurst, our Conservatory blends historical charm with horticultural excellence and community enrichment.

The Conservatory was built in 1923 and stands as a living tribute to some of Elmhurst’s earliest families who once resided at the nearby Wilder Mansion. The story begins in 1868, when Seth Wadhams purchased a treeless farm, built a home, and established a landscape that included a greenhouse for his wife Elizabeth, as she mourned the loss of their son. Though tragic, the Wadhams’ original greenhouse later became the foundation of the estate’s horticultural operations and inspired the rich gardening legacy that followed.

The Elmhurst Park District was founded in 1920 and acquired the estate, establishing Wilder Park, Elmhurst’s first public park. Shortly thereafter, the district expanded upon the original greenhouse by adding the Conservatory, offering the community a timeless recreational space that honored the estate’s horticultural heritage.