ORCHIDS: LOVE IN BLOOM
Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Trust me. You will chase away all those winter blues when you visit this year’s Orchid exhibit at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
I recently was given early access to the exhibit as the staff was making their final touches before officially opening on February 14th. This year the exhibit has really added a little “love” to their theme, and why not? According to Amanda Hannah, Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, “Orchids have long been symbols of love, beauty, and devotion, captivating hearts and inspiring admiration across cultures and centuries,”
THE EXHIBIT
The burst of flowering orchids fills the Ellipse (Main Lobby), where you will start your tour and is also the location of the first of many heart-shaped photo op stations located throughout the exhibit. One of my favorite featured orchid displays was the swan. The creativity and the hours of artisan work put into the display with all the orchids and other botanicals definitely shines through.
In the Costa Rica glasshouse, where it’s warm and toasty, you will find the “Tunnel of Love” as well as various pots and hanging baskets filled with orchids displaying their different stages of bloom. The beautiful orchids and the sound of the waterfall and birds offer a zen like feeling as you make your tour of the glasshouse.
This year’s exhibit features over 100 distinct types of orchids, including exotic as well as other well known varieties. Every direction you turn your eyes will be drawn to another orchid.
There are even “sniffing” booths. Did you know that some orchids give off scents?
Make sure you take time to visit all the rooms, including the one featuring the blue piano. The whole exhibit is beautifully put together.
DON’T FORGET THE GIFT SHOP. NEVER FORET THE GIFT SHOP!
Those alluring orchids all lined up just waiting to be adopted. The gift shop has done such a beautiful job displaying all the orchids available for purchase. There are so many colors and unique flowers to choose from. The hardest part is going to be deciding which ones to take home. You will also find one-of-a-kind, botanical themed and locally made gifts for purchase in the shop.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
> Purchase your tickets online.
> There is a parking garage on-site for a fee.
> Visit the Cleveland Botanical Gardens website for additional Orchid events and classes happening throughout the exhibit.
> Orchids: Love in Bloom hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.– 8:30 p.m., and Sundays Noon – 5 p.m. The Botanical Garden will be closed on Mondays except for Monday, February 17, President’s Day, when we are open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please note the hours are subject to change, check holdenfg.org for updated information.
SEIZE THE DAY
The Cleveland Botanical Gardens in located near the Cleveland Museum of Art (free admission), Cleveland Museum of Modern Art, the Cleveland History Center, the Crawford-Aviation Museum, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Enjoy lunch or dinner in Little Italy. Just a short drive from all the museums. To learn more see listings.
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT MY ORCHID PLANT:
The exhibit is a great place to learn about the care of orchids. Being a newbie orchid plant owner, I really didn’t know what to do when all the flowers were gone. Do I cut the flowering stem or leave it. Will it flower again? I learned from one of the horticulturalists that orchids go through life cycles. Dormancy. New leaf growth, then flowering. According to the expert my orchid plant is doing fine. I am in the new leaf stage.
Keep on exploring
~Diane
Article and photos, unless noted by: MyOhioFun.com
Diane is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun was invited to view the exhibit at not cost. My Ohio Fun also receives compensation from various banner advertising. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***
