Orchid Spectacular at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

This weekend I was able to go to the Orchid Spectacular at The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. It was awesome! The main lobby was full of small display areas in which orchid societies and growers had made landscapes full of orchids. They also used ferns, bromeliads and other houseplants as filler. And at least one display had a fountain in it. The whole thing was done very beautifully. Some of the people that had made the displays were walking around talking to visitors. They gave out wonderful advice and tried to convince all of us that orchids are really not that difficult of a plant to take care of. In another room several orchid growers had set up booths to sell orchids. The people that were running those tables were so knowledgeable and friendly. The main gift shop for the Botanical Garden offered a selection of orchids for sale and also had a display of books about orchids. They also carry a huge selection of garden books. Books about cooking with herbs, hostas, rhodos, gardening for the south, winter gardening, and lots more. Their selection was better than most major retailers. They carried local products too, jams and jellies and pottery. It is a very nice little gift shop.

After I left the main building I went down to the Orchid Conservatory. What a bright spot on a cloudy day! Of course there was orchids, but the real highlight to me was a variegated banana tree. It was easily 20 feet tall, maybe more, and the fruit was variegated too. I have seen the red types of banana trees but never the white striped variety. It was really interesting to see all kinds of "houseplants" in a setting where they can get full grown.

In January you would think the outdoor gardens wouldn't be much to look at, but it was actually kind of pretty. Most of the perennials had been cut back, which helped the evergreens stand out that much more. The daffodils were starting to pop up and even some of the perennials were starting to show leaves right at ground level. I can't wait to be able to go back this spring and see the Gardens at their best!