Sniff out New York's annual orchid fest
Forget you’re in the Bronx in late winter. The air is warm and humid in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
This year’s show, "Brazilian Modern," gives visitors a taste of Brazilian design as well as the astonishing diversity and geographic range of this most adaptable flower; there are more than 30,000 species of orchids around the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.
The range of hues among the orchids in the show is dizzying: pure white; baby pink, fuchsia, crimson and burgundy; yellow, gold and vivid orange; soothing violets and flamboyant purple.
There are striped orchids, spotted orchids, bi-colored and tri-colored orchids; giant cultivated orchids fit for a prom queen and wild specimens barely bigger than the head of a pin. Fragrant orchids and those with no smell at all; temptresses that only exude their sweet scent after dark.
"Brazilian Modern" was conceived and executed by Miami-based landscape designer Raymond Jungles.
For inspiration, Jungles turned to the work of his mentor, Roberto Burle Marx, the late Brazilian architect, artist and self-taught horticulturist who was born a century ago and is considered the father of modern landscape architecture in the Americas. His designs reflect a fascination with cubism, interpreted here in blocky gray wooden planters and angular bamboo trellises.
You can even take home an orchid of your own. The gift shop has thousands of orchids for sale, as well as an assortment of other Brazilian specimens. Prices range from $28 to $150.
"Brazilian Modern" is on view at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road, through April 19. For more information, call 718-817-8700 or visit www.nybg.org.
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