As you walk down Michigan Avenue, your eyes are naturally drawn to the illustrious skyline. But if you look a little lower you can really see what makes Chicago bloom. Beneath the gleaming metal towers lie fields of vibrant tulips growing within the gritty streets of Chicago.

While as a unit, all the tulips serve as a welcome beacon of spring, one tulip stands out among the rest—The Tulipa Maggie Daley. This blushing bud was created in the honor of Chicago’s historic first lady Maggie Daley in 2006. Unbeknownst to many, creating this unique tulip was a twelve-year process that began just five years into Mayor Daley’s tenure.

In the years since, this species of tulip, defined by its perfect hourglass shape and elegant petals, continues to grasp the eyes of those rushing down the Magnificent Mile. The Tulipa Maggie Daley certainly stands out amongst the multitude of flowerbeds that populate Michigan Avenue.

However, there are hundreds of other species in the annual Chicago tulip show. As one journeys down the venue, vibrant colors meet the eye. There are bold oranges, pale pinks, royal purples, vivacious magentas, and cheerful yellows. Often these colors are mixed within a single plant leaving the viewer to ponder how such a magnificent variety came into existence. As Chicago continues its fight to escape the cold winter, these tulips serve as a reminder that spring and summer are on the way.

The tulip show provides Chicagoans with a thorough view one on the worlds most treasured flowers. Typically, tulips grow one flower upon each of their fragile stems. However some tulips have been know to grow up to four flowers on a stem. With a carful eye, these rare specimens can be found in this years display. It is also worth noting that despite the slight structure of the tulips, some can grow to be as tall as twenty-seven inches, a serious feat for a thin stem supporting a voluptuous blossom.

Rhis year is the Chicago’s eight annual tulip show and to celebrate this accomplishment, a three-dimensional floral mural depicting The Magnificent Mile district is on display at the John Hancock Center Plaza. Within this display alone there are three thousand flowers.

Tulips have a very brief life span, lasting only three to seven days making their upkeep extremely demanding. Despite this challenge, Chicago’s tulip show lasts a splendid thirty-one days spanning the entire month of May. Within this years show quickly coming to a close, visiting Michigan Ave. during the final days of the quarter is certainly a must.