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Corpse Flower Grimace Nears Early Bloom in Rockford

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is preparing for its titan arum, Grimace, to bloom ahead of schedule this year.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Botany

Photograph of a tall maroon titan arum flower spathe partially unfurling from green leaves inside a humid glass greenhouse with blurred tropical foliage.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford says its titan arum, Grimace, is blooming ahead of schedule, with extended hours to be posted once it opens. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford is readying its titan arum, nicknamed Grimace, for a bloom that is arriving earlier than expected. The conservatory says extended hours will be posted once the plant begins to open.

Why it matters

Titan arum blooms are rare and draw large crowds, so the early timing gives Rockford residents a chance to see the plant sooner than planned. The conservatory's live stream also lets people follow the bloom from home.

Grimace stood 71.5 inches tall during its July 2024 bloom, below its 2018 peak of 80.37 inches tall and 48 inches wide. The conservatory has not announced when the current bloom will open.

The players

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

A public botanical conservatory at 1354 N. Second St. in Rockford that houses the titan arum Grimace and streams its blooms online.

The details

Grimace, a 23-year-old titan arum donated to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in 2011, last bloomed on July 28, 2024. The plant typically blooms every three to 10 years and is native to Sumatra, reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit while in bloom.

Timeline

  1. July 21, 2021: Grimace's previous bloom before 2024.

  2. July 28, 2024: Grimace's most recent bloom.

  3. Nov. 12, 2026: Conservatory preparing for the current early bloom.

Seasonal Patterns

Grimace's bloom is arriving earlier than its typical timing, which departs from the three-to-10-year interval the plant has followed since its donation in 2011. Titan arum blooms are normally unpredictable, and this early opening reflects that variability.

Visitors who want to see the bloom in person should watch for the conservatory's announcement of extended hours. The Facebook live stream allows people to follow the plant's progress without visiting.

The takeaway

Titan arum blooms are unpredictable, so checking the conservatory's live stream is the most reliable way to catch Grimace in flower.

What happens next

Extended conservatory hours will be posted once Grimace begins to bloom.

Further reading

For more on the plant's species, see Botany coverage on Wisevoter.