Join Us for Orchid Day, February 11

“We admire it for its grotesqueness, its curious arrangement of parts, because it is unlike anything else—in short, because it is an Orchid.” -Lena Leslie, Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magazine, 1888

When you think of orchids, what comes to mind? I think of the sad purple plants waiting for forever homes at the grocery store. While many of us take orchids for granted as fussy houseplants, this freaky, fabulous family of flowers wasn’t always as commonplace as it is today. In fact, orchid hunters used to go to great lengths to find rare, delicate, never-before-seen specimens. You can learn all about this fascinating history and more at the Orchid Showcase, on view through February 19.

Still can't get enough orchids? Join us for Orchid Day on Sunday, February 11! We'll celebrate all things orchids with hands-on activities for the whole family throughout the Gardens. 

• Enjoy live music from local musicians in the Freyer — Newman Center and browse watercolor paintings of orchids in The Tropical Paintings of Manabu Saito exhibition. 
• Visit the Science Pyramid to experience a Science Chat (in English or Spanish!) all about orchids. 
  Shop a pop-up orchid-themed used book sale presented by the Helen Fowler Library, or drop in to the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium of Vascular Plants to learn more about Colorado-native orchids. 
• Feeling inspired? Join a Japanese sumi-e painting art activity with the School of Botanical Art & Illustration or make your own orchid origami.

Orchids have enchanted humans for centuries. Join us for Orchid Day and meet your new favorite plant!

All activities are included with general admission to the Gardens. Learn more and get your tickets.