Orchid Daze, the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual spring orchid extravaganza, explores the creative interplay between vibrant flowers and richly colored textiles
From February 13 through April 11, three main displays in the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center will introduce original creations for showcasing orchids: festoons, aerialists and chandeliers. In counterpoint to these vertical orchid elements are diverse textiles adding motion, texture and color to each set display.
Upon entering the Conservatory Lobby, visitors’ first impression is a spectacular festoon of orchids and tropical plants, an inverted cone cascading exuberantly from the top of the windows to the floor, framed on either side with dramatically undulating fabric. Five orchid festoons hold bowers of red, orange and yellow Odontoglossum and Oncidium with long, elegant sprays of dainty flowers. Bold-colored Cattleyas and dendrobiums accent the composition. Plants with green, silver, purple and yellow variegated foliage add accents of texture and color.
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Orchid chandeliers adorn the center of the corridor and feature arching purple and bright pink Phalaenopsis in alternating rings. Flowing brocaded textiles effectively create a series of four niches with inverted arc ceilings. Orchid candelabras illuminate the sides of the corridor. Bromeliads with rich purple-blue inflorescences fill the beds below.
In the Orchid Atrium, banners of shimmering silk-like fabric unfurl from above to create a maze-like space. The banners sensually wrap around and visually support slender metal orchid aerialists, abstract forms that suggest the arching limbs of aerialist acrobats and trees. Exuberant Phalaenopsis and Vanda compositions enfold each armature, hinting at the plants’ epiphytic nature.
Cylindrical columns of orchids float from the ceiling on both sides of the hallway connecting the Atrium and the Orchid Display House. Additional columns hover over the formal bed. Mirrored and textiled scrims float at staggered heights behind the columns on either side of the hallway. Carpets of orange Phragmipedium and purple-blue Zygopetalum fill the beds along the pathways and complete the journey through this year’s spectacular show.
A new online timed-ticketing system that limits visitor capacity, as well as extended hours, allows guests to enjoy the Garden while maintaining social distancing.
The Gainesville Garden also will offer extended hours when it reopens Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. The garden is closed on Mondays.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden hours are March 10 - October on Tuesday - Sunday from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. And from November - March 9 on Tuesday - Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. *Hours may vary due to special events.
Tickets are available for purchase online only at Atlanta Botanical Garden with a timed entry for ensuring the safety and enjoyment of guests during a crowd-free experience.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Gainesville is located at 1911 Sweetbay Drive in Gainesville, GA 30501. They can be reached by phone at 404-888-4760.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. They can be reached by phone at (404) 876-5859.
Follow the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube. Follow in on the fun by using the #AtlantaBG.
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