A First Look At NYBG’s Dazzling Annual Orchid Show

Each year, the New York Botanical Garden showcases one of the world’s most delicate flowers in a special Orchid Show that takes over and completely transforms the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Though it ended early in 2020 and was replaced with a much smaller show in 2021, the dazzling display will be back and better than ever beginning February 26, 2022.

Same as the 2020 Orchid Show, the guest designer will be artistic director and floral designer Jeff Leatham—the famed artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris and floral designer to the stars.

Titled “Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope,” the exhibit will reinvent “dazzling creations” with the same theme from 2020, but in an entirely new way. Every look into a kaleidoscope will produce a different image and story. This year’s show has the same name, but all different characters, explained Leatham.

The installations are full of bold colors and captivating visuals where each gallery of the exhibition will be transformed into a different color experience, “like looking into a kaleidoscope.”

Leatham was able to redress the enchanting spaces of the NYBG in different ways than before, while still remaining true to the previous theme. The entire installation process took around two and a half weeks to complete.

As Jeff Leatham says:

“Every turn will display a new vision, while maintaining the thematic element of every gallery focusing on a different color experience. With this design, visitors will appreciate the beauty of orchids and see NYBG’s conservatory in exciting new ways.”

Upon entering the show, you’ll journey through a glowing, kaleidoscopic tunnel of lights to reintroduce the theme surrounding color patterns and movement.

Thousands of dramatically displayed orchids will be on view at the NYBG Conservatory—home to one of the largest institutional orchid collections in the world—in a series of living sculptures, like arches of deliberate hues delivering a kaleidoscopic tunnel effect. Examples of some of the rarest and most iconic orchids will be available to see from the Garden’s collection.

Leatham uses aerial displays and water to create optical illusions and reflections from every direction you look.

There will even be “Orchid Evenings” on select Fridays and Saturdays in March & April from 7–10 p.m., where you can enjoy the exhibition at night with music, food and drink!

We recommend that you try and make some time in your busy schedule over the next few months to catch this stunning show that’ll take us colorfully into spring.

The exhibit will be on display from Saturday, February 26 – Sunday, May 1, 2022. Find out more and grab tickets here.

Also published on Medium.