The Orchid Show at The New Botanical Garden has returned again for this year’s 19th celebration. With stunning innovations, this grand display is full of colorful orchids with thousands of species from around the world. Formally presented as The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope, this expansive exhibit combines the diversity of this flower with dazzling mirrors to reflect its unique and varied beauty.
Floral designer Jeff Leatham is the creative mastermind behind this botanical show. He previously collaborated with the NYBG for the 2020 annual orchid exhibit and the 2021 event Spotlight On Orchids. This time around, Leatham’s 2022 show has blossomed into a larger event with new ideas for guests to enjoy. Located in the Bronx at 2900 Southern Boulevard, this floral display is on view from February 26th to May 1st, with tickets available online.
Before the grand opening, the event had picked up exciting buzz from Secret NYC and Time Out New York, with more positive reviews following soon after. As a fan of nature and all-things flowers, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to attend.
At the NYBG, thousands of orchid species adorned the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with different colors, shapes, sizes and scents. Scientifically known as Orchidaceae, this plant family has more than 25,000 species, making it one of the most diverse flowers on Earth and an excellent choice to show off for a large-scale exhibit. You’ll never get bored with these flowers. There’s always a unique form or eye-catching design to constantly grab your attention as you walk through the garden.
When inside the conservatory, you’ll find a colorful landscape of orchids in pink, purple, yellow and orange mixed in with the lush greenery from giant palm trees. Various mirrors built in the shape of a huge kaleidoscope are set on a small indoor pond, reflecting anything or anyone in their view. Even the water shows a crisp image of people and plants. High green towers with vibrantly-hued orchids poke out from every direction, as each towering pot of flowers surround the grand mirror. As you walk throughout the glasshouse natural light shines into the windows which makes this space look like a tropical and magical paradise.
The breathtaking views here make the perfect photo for a selfie with family and friends. Blooms are always a good choice for a backdrop, just take a look at East Olivia’s Museum of Flowers that occurred at Hudson Yards last year. Leatham’s visions for The Orchid Show came to life with the help of horticulturists like Marc Hachadourian, the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Senior Curator of Orchids at the NYBG. Some of the plants featured in this huge exhibit are rainbow orchids (Vanda), moth orchids (Phalaenopsis), boat orchids (Cymbidium hybrid) and several others as seen in these photos from Sai Mokhtari, a freelance photographer at Gothamist.
Beyond the orchids, part of the beauty in this show was the people themselves. A mix of English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Russian and so many other languages could be heard throughout the exhibit, as each person marveled at the exquisiteness of the flowers in their native tongue. Nature brought us all together to experience this special moment of appreciation.
The florals throughout the show were so captivating and calming to see. Once you step inside the conservatory, you enter a new world of blooms that creates both a peaceful and lively space to explore with family, friends or yourself. This trip felt like a major detox from stress and school life. It allowed me to stay in the present and enjoy my time. With a mini oasis filled with exotic botanicals in a warm glasshouse, how could I not relax?
The Orchid Show was a delight and wonder to visit. It represented all the best things about Spring and hopefully you’ll come experience it for yourself too.