Orchids: Masters of Deception

Orchids captivate and enthrall people around the world. They also captivate and lure pollinators – sometimes through fascinating, beautiful deceit! Join us as we showcase some of the unique, bizarre, and intriguing orchid adaptations that deceive pollinators looking for food, mates, locations to lay their eggs, and more.

Let's explore thousands of orchids in this 29th annual joint orchid exhibit between the Protected content

“Orchids: Masters of Deception” will showcase a changing display of specimens from theProtected content extensive orchid collections. In the Garden Court, multiple display cases will feature the stories of orchids that exhibit delightful deception with scent, shape, color and more. Displays will include two 9-foot-tall tree sculptures covered with hundreds of pink and white orchids, a nod to another famous Washington, D.C., collection—cherry trees.

We will find orchids wrapped around more than 20 lamps, plus both the Garden Court and Plant Conservation will showcase large, 8-foot-tall curtains of orchids showcasing the special roots that allow them to live without soil. Stories of orchid deception will continue into the Orchid house.

The orchid exhibit will be in the Conservatory. Rain or shine