2023 Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Orchid show

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 17th annual orchid show – Orchids Forever – opens Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Silk Flower Sprays

This year’s show theme is “Immersed in Color” and includes 3,000 orchids -- 100 different types -- from around the world. They will be on display through Sunday, March 12. Tickets are on sale at holdenfg.org.

Orchids live in nearly every environment except dry deserts and Antarctica. Several types are native to Ohio, though these are not part of the display. Orchids are the largest and most diverse of the flowering plant family.

A sampling of the many shapes, sizes and colors of orchids is displayed everywhere the eye travels throughout the facility. That makes the show friendly to everyone including small children and folks confined to wheelchairs. In fact, visitors who pay attention close to the ground may even find an almost-hidden fairy garden.

Flower lovers will find orchids with flat, smooth petals, while others twist and curl. Some orchids are round, while others are spiky. The colors are all so vivid and joyful. Visitors are encouraged to lean in to smell, and even gently touch the blooms throughout the indoor gardens.

With more than 3,000 orchids on display at the 2023 Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show, “Orchids Forever,” you will think you’ve traveled to a tropical land. This year’s theme is “Immersed in Color” featuring orchids of pink, white, purple, orange and yellow. Each of the colors has a very specific job in the lifecycle of the orchids. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.comDavid Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

A trek through this living museum starts in the main lobby. Four neon-lit, vibrant vignettes separate the orchids into color groups. Here, visitors will learn that colors are important to the insect world.

The show continues from the lobby through connecting hallways and into the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse, where orchids hang from above and nestle in greenery below. A few displays may even be the romantic place to pose for a selfie or propose on Valentine’s Day.

The café is hung with silk paintings by acclaimed local artist Gunter Schwegler. His pieces are sold in museum shops, galleries and art institutions. These pieces are for sale, and additional scarves will be available in the gift shop. Orchids, including some exotic varieties, are also available for purchase at the Garden Store along with soil, fertilizer and pots specifically for orchids.

This year’s display was a collaboration between Andy Pratt, director of gardens and glasshouse, and Ryan Sandy, manager of exhibitions. It was designed by fine artists Ryan Sandy and Sommer Tolan, horticultural artist. Both are new to the orchid show this year.

“We wanted to focus on doing something new and transport visitors outside of Ohio,” Sandy said.

Tolan added: “We wanted a modern edge.”

The show’s orchids were flown to Cleveland from Florida and Hawaii but represent specimens from around the world. When the show ends, the orchids will be available for sale to members only.

With more than 3,000 orchids on display at the 2023 Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show, “Orchids Forever,” you will think you’ve traveled to a tropical land. This year’s theme is “Immersed in Color” featuring orchids of pink, white, purple, orange and yellow. Each of the colors has a very specific job in the lifecycle of the orchids. Don’t miss the display overlooking the Japanese gardens, all the colors are on full display. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.comDavid Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Members and non-members alike are invited to the Greater Cleveland Orchid Society Show and Sale on Feb. 4-5. The weekend will include an orchid competition, displays, vendors and three presentations open to the public. Orchids will be on display and for sale.

The show is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Admission is $20 and $14 for ages 3 to 12 (free for children 2 and under). Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members. The Botanical Garden is at 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland. Indoor parking is available for a fee based on availability. For details, go to holdenfg.org.

Paris Wolfe is a life and culture reporter for Cleveland.com. She has a special interest in food and dining. You can reach her with restaurant and food news and story ideas at pwolfe@cleveland.com. Here’s a directory of her latest posts. Follow her on Instagram @pariswolfe.

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