NYBG Orchid ShoW 2026
A LITTLE LOOK at
The New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show
“At The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle”
Orchids are about 10% of all flowering plant species on Earth. There are more Orchid species than there are bird species. The number of orchid species is almost four times the number of mammal species on the planet!
So why do they thrive, and why do we love them so much?
They are masters of evolutionary deception. They have conquered our hearts with their diversity and unique specialties.
This year’s Orchid Show is a loud, vibrant collision of street culture and tropical morphology. Mr. Flower Fantastic created this Concrete Jungle by reimagining New York Cityscapes entirely out of flora into a truly surreal experience, but what truly catches my attention me is the architectural variety of the orchids themselves.
This exhibition is an unforgettable New York experience in showcasing the evolutionary design of these little botanical lives.
Here’s a bit of what I love to appreciate:
FANTASTIC ORCHIDS
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) - A tropical epiphyte, it’s distinguished by its broad petals that resemble wings and central labellum like a moth. To me, they’re so soft and cottony, airy, and almost ghostly.
Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia) - Also known as pipevine. It’s such a smooth, alien form, looking like a plastic toy pierced to the tree, or a burgundy insect sucking at its bark.
Gram (Grammatophyllum) - The genus name comes from Gree kwords Gramma: “line” and phyllon meaning “leaf”, simply referring to its leaves and not its amazing pattern! Though, I like to call it the camorchid.
ALL ELSE
Passiflora - A very special Passion Flower!
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - This plant was so unexpectantly large that I couldn’t get a full photo of it. This cutie plant is a dangerous one, with its cardiac glycosides. When digested or handled, it can cause damage to the heart muscle.
A Relaxing Time
It was a vibrant moment away from the studio and studies to soak in Mr. Flower Fantastic’s incredible Orchid Show installation. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is a great escape, and this exhibition transformed it into a post-modern floral jungle within our real concrete jungle.
After spending the afternoon immersed in this flower world, walking back to the studio felt a bit different. The diversity of these orchids was a refreshing palate cleanser. I’m inspired, and ready to honor some of these with illustrations. By looking at these grand, sweeping installations with a multitude of life, I come to appreciate the quiet, microscopic details within them. I wish I could spent countless hours just looking at these flowers and their simple, incredible existence. It’s too bad I didn’t have time to stop and field-study these, but I plan on it next year.
The poppin’ pinks on this makeshift brownstone are my favorite! I wonder what next year’s show will bring.