The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is hosting Orchid Fever, its first indoor orchid show at The RAF Exhibit Gallery. The event, which runs until May 11, features over 3,000 orchids, showcasing a variety of colors and species, including some rare and endangered types. General admission provides access to the display, according to an ABC15 report.
The Orchid Fever show presents a vibrant display of orchids, ranging from fiery orange to deep purple, set against the backdrop of the Sonoran Desert. Laura Spalding Best, senior director of exhibits, shared with ABC15 that the new space is designed to offer visitors the experience of entering an "orchid desert oasis." The exhibit features terraced beds that mimic desert mountains, incorporating local desert vegetation alongside the orchids.
The exhibit showcases a diverse range of species, including Maxillaria tenufolia and sunset-colored orchids, offering a visually engaging experience, with more details available on the Garden's official website.
The exhibit emphasizes the Garden's dedication to conservation, noting that Arizona is home to 26 native orchid species, most of which are endangered, "and our scientists have been doing a lot of work to help them," as stated by Spalding Best in her interview with ABC15.
The RAF Exhibit Gallery is designed with north-facing windows and infrastructure that supports the humidity and temperature control needed for orchids to thrive, as explained by Spalding Best in her conversation with ABC15. The exhibit not only enhances the visual experience but also reflects the garden’s efforts in plant conservation.
The Desert Botanical Garden, located at 1201 N Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more details on tickets and the exhibit, visit the Garden's website.
