A delight for your senses awaits you at the Cleveland Botanical Garden's 10th annual Orchid Mania running now through Sunday, March 10.
Orchid Mania Hundreds of fragrant, vibrant, brilliantly colored orchids with thousands of blooms are everywhere at the Cleveland Botanical Garden's Orchid Mania exhibit throughout the entire building. Visitors will be able to see a multitude of these breathtaking exotic flowers that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, many of which have unique and surprising aromas.
The orchid has often been associated with opulence, luxury and even sensuality.
This year's theme of Orchid Mania has a Chinese motif with examples of Chinese culture everywhere. Among some of the sights visitors can expect to see are suspended pots of yellow and burgundy orchids hanging from the ceiling along the Bandstand Wall of the Eppig Gallery which features a a vividly colored red wall paintind with gold dragons.
In the lobby you will be greeted by a Chinese archway and three displays of tall, ceramic blue and white Chinese vases surrounded by Cymbidium orchids of various colors,. Don't forget to look up to see the paper doves in flight suspended from the ceiling.
In Clark Hall, observe a sea of multi-colored orchids set amidst a backdrop of birdcages, painted Chinese screens, painted ceramic bowls (one which has mini goldfish in it) and a Chinese ceramic teapot.
Visitors can also expect to learn trivia tidbits along the way about orchids. Did you know that the Dendrobium orchids have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for years and that they are now the subject of Western medical research? Or did you know that in 2005 a Chinese Cymbidium orchid sold for $202,000?
Don't miss the orchids in the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse (in addition to colorful songbirds and tortoises) and especially in the Cloud Forest where the wide variety and awe-inspiring collection of orchids of multiple shapes, sizes and spectacular color combinations will enthrall you. The Costa Rican rainforest setting also has free-flying butterflies and exotic, tropical plants to enjoy.
Some of the varieties of orchids to be found at Orchid Mania include slipper orchids, moth orchids, Kite orchids, Foxtail orchids (the mini flowers grow in small bunches)," Dancing Ladies" orchids, "Bulldogs" and Cattleya orchids often called "Queen of the Orchids." Also be sure not to miss the Coconut Pie and Chocolate orchids (which do indeed smell like the foods they are named after) and the Pansy orchids which do resemble pansys.
New this year is Orchids After Dark where on Wednesdays and Fridays you can enjoy the Garden's extended hours (until 9 p.m.) and stroll the Orchid Mania displays. Visitors will be able to partake of specialty drinks, chocolates and other delectable treats.
For those visitors wishing to purchase orchids from top area retailers, the Orchid Vendor Sales will take place on Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 during normal Garden hours.
For you orchid lovers who already have your own orchids, you might want to attend "Ask the Orchid Doctor" on Saturdays, March 2 and March 9 (from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) when experts will be able to answer any of your questions about orchid growing.
Admission to Orchid Mania is included with regular admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Cost is $9.50 for adults and $3 for children (3-12). Children under 3 are free.
Hours for the Cleveland Botanical Garden (during Orchid Mania) are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday and noon - 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Botanical Garden is closed on Mondays.
For more information about Orchid Mania or the Cleveland Botanical Garden call 216-721-1600 or get online at www.cbgarden.org.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden is located at 11030 East Blvd. in Cleveland.
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