Visitors are invited to explore thousands of orchids—both beautiful and deceptive—in the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory as part of “Orchids: Masters of Deception” Feb. 14 through April 27. Orchids captivate and enthrall people around the world. They also captivate and lure pollinators—sometimes through fascinating, beautiful deceit. A variety of orchids from around the world will be in this 29th annual joint orchid exhibit between the U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens. 

This exhibit will showcase some of the unique, bizarre and intriguing orchid adaptations that deceive pollinators looking for food, mates, locations to lay their eggs and more.

“Orchids: Masters of Deception” will showcase a changing display of specimens from the U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens’ extensive orchid collections. In the Garden Court, multiple display cases will feature the stories of orchids that exhibit delightful deception with scent, shape, color and more. Displays will include two 9-foot-tall tree sculptures covered with hundreds of pink and white orchids, a nod to another famous Washington, D.C., collection—cherry trees. Visitors will find orchids wrapped around more than 20 lamps, plus both the Garden Court and Plant Conservation will showcase large, 8-foot-tall curtains of orchids showcasing the special roots that allow them to live without soil. Stories of orchid deception will continue into the Orchid house.

Orchid-themed educational programs will be offered throughout the exhibit, such as demonstrations on orchid care, in-person Q&As for visitors to bring their orchid questions to Botanic Garden experts, and more. 

The gift shop offered by Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and ReWild will feature offerings such as live orchids, a candle inspired by the Botanic Garden’s Orchid house and other educational and botanical gift items. Proceeds from the gift shop benefit the Botanic Garden’s education programs. Learn more and plan a visit at www.USBG.gov. 

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About the U.S. Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States, established by Congress in 1820. The U.S. Botanic Garden inspires people to appreciate, study and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. With over a million visitors annually, the USBG strives to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices. It is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and Botanic Gardens Conservation International.www.USBG.gov

 

About Smithsonian Gardens

In 1972, Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley established Smithsonian Gardens to extend the Institution’s exhibition, research and education efforts through horticulture. Today, Smithsonian Gardens continues that founding legacy as an accredited museum and center for horticulture, education and research. Its interior and exterior gardens, exhibitions, collections and programs engage, inform and inspire 26 million visitors annually. The Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection, established in 1974, has gained global recognition as one of the most diverse of its kind, with thousands of unique specimens. gardens.si.edu 

 

Text Orchids Masters of Deception with an orange orchid flower and a bee