On Saturday, February 18th, the gates opened to the New York Botanical Gardens, like any other day—this, however, was no ordinary day. In fact, it was the first day of The Orchid Show, an annual show held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. It features a wealth of orchids, honoring the rich culture of Thailand. The country has become synonymous with the  flowers and is the home of nearly 1,200 native orchids.

   The Orchid Show begins in a domed greenhouse, that has glass-paneled ceilings and occasional wall views of the rest of the grounds. The exhibit is permeated with an elaborate rainbow of ornate, tropical orchids. Some of these orchids even display patterns. The orchids are quite abundant in Thai gardens and homes. Each flower features unique structural variation, and when placed in the same exhibit, creates a dazzling effect. In addition to the orchids themselves (and the short, informative descriptions that go along with them), the day show features “Thai dance performances, film screenings, tours, orchid care demonstrations, expert Q & As, and more [during] the daylight hours,” according to the New York Botanical Gardens' website (which can be accessed at nybg.org).  It also alludes to “the return of our popular Orchid Evenings [to] ensure many memorable celebrations after the sun has set.”

   According to Monika Schlichting who attended the exhibit , it was “simply beautiful.” The show is a great way to unplug from devices for a couple of quality hours, and to  explore what the extensive grounds of the New York Botanical Gardens have to offer. With the Gardens nestled in the heart of the New York Metropolitan area, it would truly be a shame to miss this spectacular show. The Orchid Show ends on April 9th, 2017.

For more information on the New York Botanical Gardens, The Orchid Show, and upcoming exhibits at the Gardens, visit nybg.org.