"An Orchid Romance" showcases the Missouri Botanical Garden's superlative collection of thousands of tropical orchids in a welcome respite to the short, gray days of winter.

The display is a classical ruin of vine-covered columns and urns overgrown with gorgeous orchids of many species, enhanced by lush green ferns, mosses and shrubs. "An Orchid Romance" offers visitors a chance to see the Garden's award-winning collection beautifully presented throughout 5,000 square feet of winding pathways, volcanic ruins, tropical foliage and water features.

"Take a break from the cold and come enjoy an absolutely incredible display of the world's most exotic and romantic of flowers," suggests floral display designer Brian LeDoux, creator of the Garden's annual shows since 1975.

Orchids make up the largest living collection at the Garden, with some specimens dating back over 100 years. The Garden has over 8,500 orchids, representing some 3,100 species, varieties and hybrids, including many rare and unusual plants. The genera Cattleya, Laelia, Epidendrum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, and Phalaenopsis are emphasized because they can survive blistering St. Louis summers, and their diverse color and form are valuable for displays and educational exhibits. A sample of the orchid collection is on view year-round in the Beaumont Room atrium in the Ridgway Center and in rotating Climatron orchid displays. However, only in February and March during the orchid show can visitors view a large portion of the winter blooming orchids.

It pays to be a repeat visitor to the orchid show: the display changes slightly from week to week, as spent blooms are swapped out with fresh plants. Our orchid expert starts with about 700 to 800 orchids in the show, and switches out anywhere from 50 to 100 spent orchids a week. She strives to get as much diversity in the show as possible.

Our orchid grower juggles temperatures in the orchid range starting in October in order to force early blooms or to delay blooms for the show. The horticulture division's greenhouse and floral display staff and their dedicated volunteers plan and prepare for the show well in advance.

Admission to this show is $3 per person ages 13 to 64, and $2 per senior citizen ages 65 and over, in addition to regular Garden admission ($7 adults, $5 seniors; St. Louis city and county residents, $3 adults, $1.50 seniors). “An Orchid Romance” and Garden admission is free to members and children age 12 and under.

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