Pulling open the large glass doors that stood in front of me, my partner and I were greeted with a rush of warm air leading into a sunlit room. We were met with a sweet floral scent that naturally wafted through the air into a hallway of orchids just around the corner. Looking for a new way to spend your Valentine’s Day? Walkthrough a greenhouse of rare color combinations at the Denver Botanic Gardens and stop to smell the orchids with your family, friends, or that special someone this February 14th.
The orchid showcase takes viewers through the Orangery and tells how greenhouses such as this protect plants from the colder seasons in Colorado. “At first they were freestanding wooden shelters raised in the winter and taken down in summer, and they relied on open fires for heat.” The Orangery is used for revolving plant displays and to protect the citrus collection from cold temperatures.”
The hallway turned into an array of colors from reds and pinks to yellows and blues of orchids. Winter jackets were removed in the warm room and cameras clicked to capture their own perspective of the detailed petals. Many stopped to appreciate color combinations, others read the posted quotes relating to how orchids have been discussed and described by poets through time.
American poet Sam Hamill said, “Just as I wonder whether it’s going to die, the orchid blossoms and I can’t explain why it moves my heart, why such pleasure comes from one small bud on a long spindly stem, one blood-red gold flower opening at mid-summer, tiny, perfect in its hour.” I debated how much windowsill room I have to house my new orchid collection.
For the plant lover in your life add a new twist for showing your special someone how much you care. Orchids are a great way to add elegance, sweet scents, and vibrant color to any room in your home. After taking your own stroll through the showcase of orchids, buy your own at a local grocery store or plant nursery. Surprise your loved ones with their own orchid to remember the time spent together at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Tickets are $15 for non-members and a time slot must be chosen for entry times through the website. Once you enter the gardens, you’re welcome to stay until close. They even have an upcoming free entry day on February 17th. Consider stopping and smelling the orchids for Valentines Day’s this year. With so many colors to choose from, follow the guide below to give the perfect shade to the perfect person for the perfect reason.
