A rare site is happening at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford. “Grimace” The Corpse Flower has started to bloom! The last time this happened was in August of 2018! Stop by and check it out!
Conservatory staff carefully cut a hole near the bottom of the spathe and hand pollinated Grimace’s female flowers just after midnight on Wednesday with pollen from Chicago Botanic Garden. They collected pollen from Grimace on Thursday night to freeze and share with other Public gardens when needed. The flower has closed up a lot overnight but still smells a little up close. They anticipate the flower to collapse this Friday afternoon (7/23) or Saturday.