Botanists are always in for a treat at the New York Botanical Garden but this year they’re in for an even bigger one. This year, the NYBG is celebrating its 15th year of orchid exhibitions with The Orchid Show: Thailand, an homage to the wealth of orchids, tropical gardens, orchid breeding, and cultural history of the Southeast Asian country. The exhibit will run from February 18 – April 9, 2017.
The show will boast thousands of orchids in a classic Thai garden setting, with a centerpiece being the façade of a sala, a traditional pavilion used for shade and relaxation, complete with a gabled roofline festooned with orchids. Thailand is home to some 1,200 native orchid species, most of which will be on display at the show.
Located in the Seasonal Exhibition Gallery at NYBG’s Enid A Haupt Conservatory, the show’s design incorporates the ancient Thai garden tradition of mai dat, where trees and shrubs are pruned and trained over time to form specific shapes and images. Throughout the exhibition, small ponds and pools create a relaxing atmosphere, filled with tranquil sounds of water. In the ponds, colorful flowers will float in large, glazed water jars, to create unique moments of beauty and reflection for those experiencing them.
Complimentary programming will include tours and demonstrations to enhance the exhibit. Orchid Evenings will bring a nighttime experience to The Orchid Show: Thailand, as guests stroll through the exhibit after dark, accompanied by music.
During the exhibit, NYBG’s full-service restaurant the Hudson Garden Grill will be offering a selection of dining options and a variety of Thai-inspired offerings, as well as the Gardens’ Pine Tree Café. For those looking to shop, thousands of top-quality orchids, including exotic and hard-to-find specimens for connoisseurs to elegant and easy-to-grow varieties for beginners will be available for purchase at the NYBG shop, along with additional orchid products and books.
Don’t forget, this event is extremely popular, so it’s recommended guests purchase their tickets in advance. Tickets are available on the exhibit’s website.