The Orchid Show: Magnified - Highlighting Orchids in a New Way at The Chicago Botanic Garden's Annual Show

 

The Orchid Show: Magnified Encourages Viewing Orchids at Many Different Angles

Each year The Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden heralds our march to the end of winter with brilliant, stunning blooms. This year's show, The Orchid Show: Magnified, once again dazzles with delicate yet bold and intriguing blooms while adding the ability to look at an array of blooms under the magnifying glass. Viewing the blooms from different angles truly engages curiosity and opens new worlds.

View orchids at new angles with magnifying lenses at
The Chicago Botanic Garden's The Orchid Show: Magnified.

The entrance to the show reminded me of a museum exhibit or even a gallery of curiosities. Immediately, guests engage in looking at orchids magnified revealing the blooms in ways we do not customarily see them in. The opening hall is one of several segments which invite you to explore magnificent blooms in ways enhanced by a variety of lenses.

Sit Back and Enjoy the Show

View angles of a magnified orchid during a short movie exhibit.

A film brings orchids front and center allowing you to see angles that you may not with the naked eye. I love how the viewing area for the movie really felt like you were going to a show. Nice setup and entirely relaxing while interesting.

Exploring Orchids With Through New Lenses

A cascade of different-sized magnifying lenses encouraged
us to view orchids in new ways.

In one room, you will be charmed by cascades of magnifying glasses hanging from the ceiling creating a novel way to view orchids. The glasses themselves look almost disco-like as they dangle. As you approach and the orchids come into view, you feel delighted. We loved exploring this section of the exhibit. The stunning cascade of lenses beckons you forward but the different ways of viewing the details of the orchids have you exploring for a while.

Taking a hand magnifying glass to view the orchids at a variety of angles.

Another portion of the show encourages you to gaze at portions of the orchids with handheld magnifying glasses. At some of the stations, you control more of what you see. Other portions have the handheld magnifying glasses propped up.

Captivating Blooms Surround

Blue slipper-like orchids cascade from the ceiling in a Chicago Botanic Garden Greenhouse.

Wandering through the greenhouses, you will encounter an amazing range of orchids in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. My favorites of this show happen to be blue orchids in the shape of slippers that dangled from a vine. Truly, an incredible hue and shape. 

Floral balls full of orchids ignite the greenhouse ceilings.

Bursts of color surrounded us as we wound through the greenhouses. Some of the orchids quite literally formed large floral balls. These bold statements contrasted with more diminutive, delicate blooms. The collection of orchids displayed quite unique colors and shapes. One orchid reminded me of chocolate with white edging. Certainly a highlight!

Delicate orchids with chocolate and white petals and cherry red center.

Large Scale Installations

Peering through rings of orchids!

The Orchid Show amazed with large-scale installations including one where you become part of the orchid. Another is a periscope of sorts crafted as you gaze through rings of magnificent orchids! Stunning installations that get you to think about orchids in different ways.

A cascade of pink orchids meets a floor full of yellow orchids.

The Orchid Show: Magnified Details

This year's show features over 10,000 blooms. Absolutely remarkable! The Orchid Show runs February 11 - March 26, 2023 with daily hours of 10AM-4PM. Special photographer hours are offered Tuesday mornings during the show 8:15AM-9:45AM. Special night shows offer a different experience which includes viewing the orchids with an evening ambiance and lite bites and drinks for purchase. Night showings are offered on Thursdays and on Valentine's Day. The Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show and Sale is March 11-12. See website for more details and ticketing information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden has once again transformed The Orchid Show into an incredible and unique experience, unlike others we have experienced. The Orchid Show marks one of our favorite events bursting from the depths of winter into spring. Magnificence -- magnified!