Long-Time Partnership Yields Beautiful Results

Featured in several rooms of the USBG Conservatory, these two institutions have paired their substantial orchid collections and horticultural knowledge to showcase thousands of orchid blooms for the public.

"This is our oldest partnership, and we hope to continue it for decades to come," said Dr. Susan K. Pell, USBG Executive Director. "Each of our orchid collections is many thousands strong, and joining together to display them allows us to present an even wider diversity of these wonderful plants along with fascinating, educational stories and programs."

Each year, the two gardens present a joint display of orchids, alternating the location between the USBG Conservatory and one of the Smithsonian Institution museums. With both organizations visited by many local, national and international travelers, it is likely several million people have enjoyed the beautiful results of this partnership.

For the exhibit, the USBG team covered two custom, 9-foot-tall metal trees with orchids, displaying thousands of colorful blooms; A vestibule in the Tropics house showcases orchids from partner Smithsonian Gardens' collection; A visitor explores.

This year's exhibit, "Discover the World of Orchids," runs through April 30, 2023. One of the largest plant families in the world, orchids vary greatly in floral shape, size, color and scent, and technology advances their conservation. From growing orchids via tissue culture to tools that let one see their hidden parts, technological advancement has changed humans’ relationship with orchids. Visitors can explore stories of how technology contributes to conserving, growing and understanding orchids.

Employees from across the USBG help make the exhibit come to life. Horticulture employees plan, grow and install the plants; while Operations constructs display elements and keeps the greenhouse systems in top shape. The USBG Learning and Engagement team helps prepare interpretive signage and plans and presents educational programs, and Administrative Services employees support the wide array of contracts and purchases needed for the ongoing partnership and exhibit. Over the course of the exhibit, both USBG and Smithsonian Gardens employees maintain the displays, swapping out additional orchids as they come into bloom to keep the exhibit fresh and full of blooms.

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The exhibit displays orchids throughout the Conservatory, including eight displays at eye level hung from the top of the 93-feet-high Tropics house.

Guests can visit the Tropics house this year to see hundreds of orchids providing vibrant bursts of color at ground level and suspended in the air, as well as two 9-foot-tall tree sculptures covered with hundreds of epiphytic orchids and bromeliads —  a colorful photo opportunity. Visitors will find Dendrobium and Paphiopedilum orchids throughout the Plant Adaptations and Plant Conservation houses, including a special display that showcases pollination and pollinators featuring showy slipper orchids and strikingly fragrant Bulbophyllum orchids.

We invite everyone to come see this year's exhibition of many varieties of orchids created by this dynamic partnership and the hard work of employees across both organizations. From beauty to usefulness to conservation, orchids have many stories to share.