On Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006 The Chicago Botanic Garden opened the doors of its Regenstein Center, a newly-renovated 100,000-square-foot facility, and dedicated the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The results of years of careful planning and evaluation of the needs of both Garden and public, the Center is a splendid addition to one of the nation's youngest and fastest-growing public gardens, which attracts 750,000 visitors a year.

"The new Regenstein Center, with the Esplanade at its front door, is at the heart of the Chicago Botanic Garden. As visitors enter the 100,000 square-foot center from the north, they will discover a seamless view that leads the eye past the current exhibition, "In Search of Paradise: Great Gardens of the World" to the Palm Allee, where eight 12- foot Washington palms are underplanted with showy brilliant bromeliads in one of the three newly refurbished green houses," said Executive Vice-President and Director Kris Jarantoski .

The Regenstein Center renovation created new and renovated space for a wide variety of uses. It houses the Lenhardt Library, Plant Science Laboratory, Design Studio, Runnells Courtyard and Searle Courtyard for bonsai display, Burnstein Hall for flower shows and the Krehbiel Gallery, Joutras Gallery, and Nichols Hall for exhibitions. Opening ceremonies also marked the dedication of the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, which offers a degree program in plant biology and conservation, as well as more than 475 classes in subjects covering plants and people, gardening, nature and the environment, garden design and the botanical arts. Partnerships with Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provide graduate, post-graduate and certificate programs, with the Garden's 385 acres serving as a living classroom.

Viewed on a north-south axis in the center of the Garden's main island, the Regenstein Center is the Garden's "compass". Exhibit galleries span the length of the building and provide a seamless view of garden landscapes through ground-level windows. An always-changing show of seasonal plants and flowers complements the exhibit and gallery space.

The Lenhardt Library allows visitors greater access to the Garden's priceless rare book collection, which includes the most famous botanical book of all time, "Hortus Eystettensis" by Basilius Besler (1561-1629). Large cases house a rotating display of selections from the rare book collection. Reproductions of 33 brilliantly colored plates found in the famed botanical illustration book, "Temple of Flora," 1797-1810, by Dr. Robert Thorton, grace the walls. The June Price Reedy Rare Book Reading Room features two walls of display cases and space to work with the collection. A special storage room, with state-of-the-art fire protection, temperature and humidity control and security, houses the remaining books. Hundreds of students, scholars and researchers use the Library each year. The twin courtyard display of the Garden's distinguished bonsai collection features water pooling and falling over the edges of black polished granite fountains in the courtyards' corners. Holly, azalea and arborvitae shrubs edge the courtyards. Several types of granite paving create a beautiful ground plain, much like a carpet. More than 50 bonsai can be displayed at once. The Garden's premier bonsai collection includes 180 specimens, which will be rotated into the courtyards at their peak.

Burnstein Hall, with 3,600 square feet of open display space, was designed to house the American Flower Show Series. The American Flower Show Series, a growing national horticultural program, brings together amateur and expert gardeners and educators by offering floral exhibits and programs that focus on America's favorite flower

groups. Juried flower shows, floral displays, complementary workshops, demonstrations, lectures and plant sales occur regularly.

"In Search of Paradise: Great Gardens of the World" is the exhibit that debuted at CBG on September 23. More than 125 full-color images of the world's greatest gardens, taken by the world's best garden photographers, tell the story of contemporary garden design around the world. Exhibit text is written by Penelope Hobhouse, an internationally celebrated garden writer and historian, in consultation with British architectural critic and writer Charles Jencks. The exhibit explores a number of themes, including water as a central design element in historic and contemporary gardens. Other themes demonstrate how designers are using new materials in unusual ways, bringing nature to the city and selecting plants that honor native environments.