Orchids Take Center Stage at These Two Ohio Gardens.
ORCHIDS: LOVE IN BLOOM
Press release:
(CLEVELAND) January 16, 2024– Let orchids capture your heart at the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show, Orchids: Love in Bloom. Opening on Friday, February 14 and running through Sunday, March 30, fall head over heels for the enchanting beauty of orchids, a perfect celebration of love and romance.
Tickets are on sale now. Purchase tickets in advance at holdenfg.org.
This year’s show will highlight the classic charm of love with vibrant displays of heart shaped arrangements and romantic backdrops. Romance blossoms with species like Dendrobium, Oncidium and Phalaenopsis in hues of pink, purple, and yellow. Guests will be surrounded by orchids throughout the indoor gardens and glasshouses, a dreamscape for flower lovers, and endless photo opportunities for all.
“Orchids have long been symbols of love, beauty, and devotion, captivating hearts and inspiring admiration across cultures and centuries,” said Amanda Hannah, Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. “Caring for orchids demands patience, dedication, and nurturing touch—qualities that mirror the essence of love itself. Beyond their beauty, orchids have sparked creativity in art, poetry, and storytelling, serving as timeless muses for passion and connection.”
Displaying over 100 distinct types of orchids, Orchids: Love in Bloom will display more than 3,000 flowers from exotic blooms to well-known varieties.
· The Ellipse (Main Lobby) will feature multiple garden beds brimming with live orchids set against a backdrop of cascading draped fabric and oversized paper flowers to create a dreamy, romantic ambience.
· The Costa Rica glasshouse will feature an enchanting tunnel of love, complete with an elegant orchid swan boat, making it the perfect photo spot.
· The Japanese Garden Overlook will spotlight rare orchids displayed in ‘sniffing booths,’ a play on the classic kissing booth.
Special Art Spotlight – Sun Prink Alphabet by Kimberly Lavery. Lavery resides in Akron and is inspired by the natural world experimenting with color, texture, and shape-making to create something new. For the love of Silk by Gunter Schwegler will also grace the walls of Orchids: Love in Bloom. Schwegler lives in Cleveland Heights and is a fiber artist specializing in silk painting.
EVENTS
Cleveland Botanical Garden is for Lovers: Join us this Valentine’s Day from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for exclusive after-hours access to Orchids: Love in Bloom, as well as live music, tasty treats and adult beverages for purchase at our cafe, and a make-your-own valentine craft! Cost: $25 per person. HF&G members receive first access to tickets.
Orchids After Dark: Every Saturday, Orchids: Love in Bloom is open late until 8:30 p.m. Grab an orchid cocktail or mocktail, and stroll through the beauty of orchids throughout our indoor gardens and glasshouses, while vibing to live classical musical performances by Cleveland Institute of Music.
Steeped in Love: ChocolaTea Tasting: Join us on Saturday, February 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. for the perfect Valentine’s date! Delight your senses with six exquisite ChocolaTea tastings, alongside four delectable food pairings to enhance the experience. Cost: $50 per member, $60 per nonmember. Visit holdenfg.org for registration information.
Orchids + Om: Ladies Night Out! Join us on Friday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. for a ladies night in partnership with Beauty Boost Cleveland. Participants will enjoy a rejuvenating yoga class, enchanting sound bath, complimentary experience stations and local shopping vendors. Cost: $35 per person. Orchids + Om: Ladies Night Out Registration
Greater Cleveland Orchid Society Show & Sale: Join us on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 23 from noon – 5 p.m. for the Greater Cleveland Orchid Society Show and Sale. Various orchid varieties, potting materials, and accessories will be available for purchase through various vendors in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Orchid Society. Stop by Woodland Hall to view and vote for your favorite display. Included with general admission.
CLASSES
Virtual Ask the Orchid Doctor: Join us on Saturday, February 15 from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for a FREE virtual class on orchid care. Horticulturist Dawn Gerlica will help answer your questions and talk about best practices for growing orchids. Classes take place on Zoom, so you can even show your plant from home! Ask an Orchid Doctor Registration
Behind-the-Scenes Orchid Photography: Join us Sunday, February 23 from 8 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. for a photography workshop to capture Orchids: Love in Bloom up close! With bizarre shapes and fascinating colors, orchids offer botanical dreamscapes for photography. Photographer Debbie DiCarlo will host a workshop that includes the opportunity to get up close and personal with plants. Following a brief session with tips and tricks, participants will have the chance to explore Orchids: Love in Bloom with tripods before the doors open to the public. Price: $80 per member, $120 per non-member. Behind the Scenes Orchids Photography Registration.
Specialty Orchid Care: On Wednesday, February 26 from 9 – 11 a.m., expand your orchid expertise beyond Phalaenopsis with this class designed to advance your skills. This program will introduce specialty species and delve into intricacies of their care with an opportunity to practice some skills. All participants will take home a specialty orchid to continue their learning at home. Price: $37 per member, $52 per non-member. Specialty Orchid Care Registration
Orchids of Ohio: Join us on Saturday, March 1 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. to learn fun facts and useful identification tips for Ohio’s native orchids. Presenter and naturalist Tom Sampliner has traveled the world photographing orchids, but he will share information closer to home during this program. With a bloom season that commences in May and runs through October, Ohio’s orchids vary from large, colorful species reminiscent of the tropics to tiny, inconspicuous species. This presentation will cover orchid habitats in Ohio, their natural history, and includes beautiful images of rare to common species in the state. Price: $10 per member, $25 per nonmember. Orchids of Ohio Registration
Hand-Painting on Silk: On Saturday, March 29 from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. learn from the artist what it takes to create silk pieces like those seen on display! Join Gunter Schwegler to learn techniques for painting on silk. Participants will use water-based dyes that flow like watercolor to create two painted silks, while learning brush control, color mixing, shading, and a bit of history. Supplies will be provided, and all levels of experience are welcome. Price: $60 per member, $100 per non-member. Hand-Painting on Silk Registration.
In the Eleanor Squire Library: Visit the garden library to peruse books about orchids and more, for children and adults. The library is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Schedule permitting, please check holdenfg.org for updates.
In the Garden Store: Orchids, including some exotic varieties, will be available for purchase at the Garden Store along with soil, fertilizer, and pots specifically for orchids. Take home a beautiful orchid to enjoy! Silk paintings, scarves and other accessories by Gunter Schwegler are also available for purchase.
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 hours are subject to change, check holdenfg.org for updated information.
Orchids: Love in Bloom admission is $20 per adult and $14 per child ages three to 12 (free for children two and under). Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members. The Botanical Garden is at 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio. Indoor parking is available for a fee based on availability. For complete details about Orchids: Love in Bloom visit holdenfg.org.
About Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Forests & Gardens
Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in Cleveland’s University Circle cultural district, is an ever-changing 10-acre urban oasis where visitors find enrichment and inspiration through fabulous gardens, an exotic Glasshouse, and seasonal events. The Cleveland Botanical Garden is part of Holden Forests & Gardens along with the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio. Holden Forests & Gardens is making an impact in Northeast Ohio through urban greening and forestry initiatives, environmental research, educational programs, and world-class visitor experiences at its two campuses. For more information, visit holdenfg.org.
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(Post banner photo credit: Cleveland Botanical Gardens)
A TROPICAL GETAWAY AWAITS AT THE CONSERVATORY!
ORCHIDS AND COLOR, FLY BUTTERFLY
Press release.
COLUMBUS, OH – As the new year begins, the Conservatory is preparing for two exhibitions to open on January 18, 2025: Orchids and Color, Fly, Butterfly. These exhibitions offer visitors the opportunity to refresh themselves through time spent in nature and surrounded by artistic expression.
Orchids Exhibition
Orchids is an annual exhibition that presents thousands of orchid blooms in themed displays. This year’s exhibition takes inspiration from the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands that explores five iconic landscapes that capture the essence of Hawaii’s natural beauty. From the towering volcanoes to the lush rainforests, each landscape reflects the unique topography, colorful plant life, and cultural significance that defines this island paradise.
The orchids are primarily on display in the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse but there are orchid container gardens throughout the interior Conservatory. The exhibition is included in admission through March 9, 2025.
Color, Fly, Butterfly Exhibition
The Cardinal Health Gallery will experience its metamorphosis into an immersive butterfly coloring experience, inviting guests to color their own butterfly and watch the butterfly creation come alive in the illustrated Pacific Island Water Garden.
Select and color a butterfly at a coloring station then scan the page at the kiosk to release the butterfly into the digital environment. Watch as the butterfly flutters around the garden and swoops down for a snack on a nearby flower! Included in admission through May 18, 2025.
Color, Fly, Butterfly is made possible thanks to the Greater Columbus Arts Council and with additional support from The Columbus Foundation and Ohio Arts Council.
For more details, please visit fpconservatory.org and follow the Conservatory on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.
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Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers world-class horticulture, art & nature-based exhibitions and educational programs. The 13-acre indoor and outdoor facility—situated two miles from downtown Columbus—features glasshouses including the historic John F. Wolfe Palm House; botanical gardens including the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and Scotts Miracle Gro-Foundation Community Garden Campus; and event venues. The Conservatory is home to the largest collection of Chihuly glass in a botanical garden and Light Raiment II by internationally renowned artist James Turrell. Committed to the community, the Conservatory strives to provide an accessible and welcoming experience to all.
OHIO ARTISAN MARKETS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS.
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