Orchids inspire at Botanical Garden

The ceiling steals the show at this year’s orchid extravaganza at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG).

“It’s just awesome. I want to bring it to my house,” said Elizabeth Jesmundo, 57, as she stood in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory gazing up at a star-shaped, 11-foot chandelier made of hundreds of orchids and other plants.

“I never knew there were so many different kinds of orchids,” added the Bronx native, who attended one of the garden’s evenings of cocktails and music on Saturday.

Chandeliers are the theme of the NYBG’s 13th annual orchid show. Each year showcases a different design, explained Nicholas Leshi, NYBG’s director of public relations. 

“Most people, when they buy [orchids], will place them on a coffee table or shelf. This is a way to give them an idea that you can display them in ways that are elaborate and wonderful,” he said.

“Even if you don’t have an 11-foot chandelier, you can display them as a centerpiece,” he added with a laugh.

Along with the show’s massive chandelier, the exhibit features hanging baskets and columns of orchids and plants. The NYBG offers classes on orchid care, in addition to events like Saturday’s Orchid Evening, where attendees swayed to live music, enjoyed specialty libations and could even get their lipstick retouched by make-up artists. 

“With the long winter, this is wonderful escape,” Mr. Leshi said. “You come in and it’s a burst of color.” 

“The Orchid Show: Chandeliers” runs at the New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory through Sunday, April 19. Price of admission varies, with tickets costing $20 for adults on weekdays. For more info, visit www.nybg.org.

Adrian Fussell contributed reporting.