A very special sensory treat beckons me – “The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism” – a wonderland of orchids and tropicals at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx now thru April 27. Don’t miss it!. On entering the majestic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, I wonder where to begin…the colors, scents, beauty and magnificence of the floral inhabitants is overwhelming. I choose the Triangle palm (a personal favorite) with pink and orange orchids unabashedly straddling its handsome trunk. Next, a fan palm has fronds that could reach out and spank whoever is misbehaving. Nearby, a Mexican Fan Palm, strong and burly with wood-like trimmings, seems to say, “I dare you to hug me.”
Across the atrium, bromeliads and orchids of many colors surround a waterfall. The scene is PERFECT! So sensuous and beautiful. There cannot be anywhere else on earth that is more captivating and gorgeous.
A small, pleated Cuban petticoat palm, unabashed with its petticoat drooping down, begs to be touched. Fragrant pink moth orchids partner with bright yellow and orange Brazilian Sun ‘Samba’ alongside soft, peachy, Younghome ‘Fragrance Lover’ basking in sphagnum moss above pink Talda Day orchids on another palm. Among the beauty, what appears to be the beast, is “the torture tree,” aka “floss-silktree” with spines that put roses to shame. There are ferns, bromeliads and palms galore.
Orchids thrive in various microclimates. In the Conservatory’s desert habitat, Fishers snake plant and a dragon tree (Dracaena draco) with spotted blood-like leaves (try hugging this baby), accompany a lavishly huge monstera with orchids on poles, climbing with other vines.
The walk-through bowers have flowers thriving on solid, hot-colored geometric slabs covered in orchids. They were inspired by the unique style of Mexican architect Luis Barragan, whose passion for interpreting the senses through architecture was “beauty, inspiration, magic, sorcery, enchantment, and also serenity, mystery, silence, privacy, astonishment. All of these have found a loving home in my soul.” European landscapes and his love for plants helped fulfill his creations.
Thus, the lush and vibrant plants that NYBG presents every year. This year, the orchids came from Hawaii, Florida, and NYBG’s world-renowned collection. There are 28,000 - 30,000 recognized species of orchids that cover all continents except Antarctica. They occupy all habitats from lowland tropical rainforests to high altitude rainforests to hot, steamy and wet understory. They are bio-diverse: epiphytes in treetops, vining and aquatic plants, and deserts.
There is much more to see here at the Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism, and to learn and enjoy. Also, you can see the show in a new light at Orchid Nights on Saturdays through April 26.
