Midwest Mary

Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting its annual orchid show until March 24, 2024. Meandering through the displays is like taking a mini vacation. Amid the Midwest USA winter, which admittedly is warmer than what we typically experience, we are offered a wonderland. We can escape the chilly outdoor weather and receive an opportunity to see an abundance of flowers in bloom.  

Titled “The Orchid Show of Wonders,” this year’s theme is a light version of a carnival featuring flowers within a big top, top hats, a Ferris wheel,

surreal merry-go-round creatures,

and circus posters.  

Orchids are shown in various sizes and colors. These moth orchids are some of the smaller ones.

Multi-colored, spotted, and unusually colored orchids can also be found.

In addition, other tropical plants are intermixed with stunning orchids, the most dramatic being those in red. Of course, there are red orchids.

But there are others with some serious attitudes. What do you think of this powder puff tree?

The fluffy flowers look like make-up brushes.

In contrast, the Crimson bottle brush is stiffer with little spots on the end of its “bristles.”

 The chenille plant is abundant with blossoms.

I wanted to rub my hands down these soft blooms.

And then there is the costus barbatus that reminds me of a Muppet with two little eyes.

*Photos and Post©2024, Mary K. Doyle
**Tranquility. Transformation. Transcendence features 72 photos from public gardens and 72 poems.