Time for Orchids!

I recently visited Olbrich Botanical Gardens for Orchid Escape and Orchid Quest. What a wonderful way to briefly put winter aside and enjoy the beauty of these amazing plants and blooms! The theme this year: “Rise of the Angiosperm,” with a nod to the Cretaceous Period, when dinosaurs still roamed the earth and proto-orchids developed.







It was fun to see the dino “fossils” flanked by orchids of all types, sizes, and colors. 



Colorful signage described orchid anatomy.



And the specialized methods of orchid pollination.



Beautiful displays were around every corner in the conservatory, including this collection in the pond.

I captured a few photos of the more than 1,000 blooming orchids displayed, some of which are permanent residents. I tried to include the names on each photo (hold your cursor over the image to see them). If plants weren’t marked, or I wasn’t sure I had the correct label, I simply included the genus. If you see any errors please let me know:

































It was a great way to warm up, enjoy the beauty, and learn more about the world’s thousands of magical orchid species!

At the time of this post, Orchid Escape is still on through March 3, 2024. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Or visit olbrich.org to learn about future events.

Colorful DiscoveriesAt the San Antonio Botanical Garden

One of many highlights of our recent trip to San Antonio was visiting the San Antonio Botanical Garden with Jean at Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog. A resident of the area, Jean shared helpful gardening and historical information, and we had some fun discussions.



The botanical garden had some impressive edibles growing in beautiful displays.



The displays included information about the plants and required growing conditions.



In many cases, the edibles and ornamentals were interplanted, which is always fun to see and do.



Other highlights of the botanical garden included this former limestone quarry, which was transformed into a public waterworks system for the city in 1877. Now a beautiful sunken garden, it features a staggered seating area, climbing vines, and beautiful stonework.



Some of the displays were unique--for example, Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris), and Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia spp.) growing in a display together.



We visited during the gardens' Orchid Celebration, which was fabulous. I took so many photos, but the only name plate I captured was this healthy Noble Rock Orchid (Dendrobium nobile).



The others were, of course, incredibly lovely and colorful, too.

An extra bonus was that the Texas Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) were just beginning to bloom--at the botanical garden and throughout the surrounding area.

It was one of many beautiful days in a beautiful part of the state and a lovely region of the country.

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'Orchid Escape' Is a Good Name for It

Tonight is the coldest night of the year here. While we've had a rather mild winter, a little lobe of Arctic air decided to visit in mid-February--my least favorite time of the year in Southern Wisconsin, even without a subzero cold blast. I'm ready for winter to end.

So, a couple of days ago, I headed over to Olbrich Botanical Gardens' Bolz Conservatory to see the current "Orchid Escape" display that will be in place through February. The orchids are displayed in five scenes--earth, water, air, and fire--representing the four classical elements.



Displays provide excellent educational information.

But most of all, observing the diverse orchids in a warm place was a treat on a cold winter day. The orchids weren't labeled, or if they were, I didn't want to dig around to find the tags. So I hope you'll forgive me for simply sharing the photos of these beauties, without naming them.























"Orchid Escape" is a great display and a great escape, for sure.

Let's Head to the Tropical Dome

It's February, it's cold, and I'm trying to warm up. So let's head back to Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes).

I covered the Show Dome for a holiday post in December. The others--the Tropical Dome and the Desert Dome--don't change much with the seasons. And I learned a lesson: Start in the tropics and end in the desert, not the other way around. Moving from a dry climate to a humid one can be a little uncomfortable.



When I was there, displays described The Domes Task Force feasibility study. Currently in phase one, the task force goal is to rehabilitate the facility and provide a sustainable operating model going forward. The Domes have been a Milwaukee fixture for many decades.



I hope The Domes' future will be bright; the facility's plant collection is incredible, like this stunning Cardinal's Guard (Pachystachys coccinea).

Other plants in the Tropical Dome that caught my attention included:



Many Bromeliads, including these Earth Stars (Cryptanthus spp.) clinging to rocks.



Earth Stars surrounded by Variegated Creeping Ficus (F. pumila).



Golden Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea).



Amethyst Star (Pseuderanthemum laxiflorum).



Birds of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae).



Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata). (Yes, it did smell pleasant.)



This fairy garden featuring tropical plants was fun. I almost missed it while focusing on eye-level plants and tall tropical trees.



I was surprised by the impressive collection of orchids in the Tropical Dome.



Zygopetalum Louisendorf  'Rhein Moonlight.'



Bright yellow Phalaenopsis.



Phalaenopsis 'Kaoda Twinkle.'



Magenta-speckled Phalaenopsis.



Paphiopedilum 'Aladin.'



Cattleya percivaliana 'Summit.'



Angraecum eburneum subsp. giryamae.



Cattleya Horace 'Maxima' x  C. jeamanii.



An unmarked cross with Paphiopedilum rothschildianum.



Oncidium 'Sharry Baby.'



Phragmipedium Geigelstein.

Some of these and other beautiful orchids had lovely scents, too, although I didn't spend enough time noting the fragrances.

The Domes facility is worth a trip if you live nearby or are traveling in the area, particularly if you need a little winter break.