Now here’s just the thing to help shake off the winter doldrums: The Western North Carolina Orchid Society holds its 11th annual orchid show later this month.
Beginning Saturday, March 29, and continuing through the next day, the North Carolina Arboretum will be full of color and exoticism as orchid-growers and orchid-lovers assemble to show reverence for their amazing family of plants.
“It’s something we try not to brag about,” says Brett Hopkins, publicity chair for the Western North Carolina Orchid Society, “but it really is one of the premier orchid events in the Southeast.”
In addition to a juried display of orchid plants and arrangements, the show features educational presentations and serves as a trade show for some of the region’s premier orchid nurseries. “We’re talking hundreds of varieties of orchids,” says Hopkins.
Those too timid to try their hand at growing orchids will find plenty of expert advice in a nonthreatening atmosphere, as well as a year’s worth of inspiration for their new pursuit.
The big show runs Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Arboretum parking fees do apply.
— Kent Priestley, contributing editor
For those interested in perhaps growing orchids that a little less exotic and wild looking, we have in WNC quite a few native orchids that would do well in local gardens including the Lady Slippers, Fringed Orchids, Showy Orchis and the delicate Cranefly Orchid to name just a few.