There’s a narrow window of opportunity for us Road Trips Gardeners who are driving in northeastern Illinois on November 30, 2010.

That’s when the Cantigny Park Horticulture Department will host the “Shades of Crimson” poinsettia display. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this free holiday event at the park’s greenhouse. Visitors will see more than 4,000 poinsettia plants in a variety of colors — and, horticulture staff members will be on hand to discuss the plants and answer questions.

Cantigny’s plants are purchased as three-inch-long cuttings. The resulting plants will be about five months old at the time of the display. Visitors also can buy poinsettias at “Shades of Crimson”, both during the display and afterwards in the Cantigny Visitors Center Gift Shop.

“Shades of Crimson” will include self-guided tours of the greenhouse and light refreshments. Parking will be at the greenhouse, so visitors should enter Cantigny from the east at Shaffner Road.

Cantigny Park is open daily in November and December from 9 a.m. to sunset. Part of the Chicago-based McCormick Foundation, it comprises the 500-acre estate of the late Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Cantigny Park, 15151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, Illinois, is home to the McCormick Museum, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitors Center.