Orchids at Hillwood Estate

An Orchid Collection in Northwest DC

Hello, orchid friends! I’m back to share photos from our first visit to Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens located in Northwest DC. We went specifically to see a new exhibit called Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean, but I had been wanting to visit for a long time because the estate has an orchid collection. So of course we also explored the greenhouses while we were there! (P.S. the Fragile Beauty exhibit is very lovely!)

Hillwood Estate greenhouses

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Smithsonian Orchid Exhibit 2024

The Future of Orchids

I finally made it to the Smithsonian Gardens 2024 Orchid Exhibit! This year’s exhibit, in collaboration with the United States Botanic Garden, is located in the Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Museum in downtown Washington DC. The 2024 theme is “The Future of Orchids: Conservation and Collaboration,” and the (free!) exhibit runs through April 28. If you’re an orchid fan in the area, this is a must-see!

Smithsonian Orchid Exhibit 2024

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Winter 2024 Blooms

Currently Blooming

We’re a few months in to 2024, and I have many blooming orchids to post about! First, I want to share this photo from the rotunda at the National Gallery (west building). We went there in late January and to my surprise, there was a beautiful display of orchids ringing the fountain:

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December 2023 Orchid Spikes

So Many Winter Spikes!

There wasn’t much to report about my orchids for awhile, but now that we’re heading into winter, I have a whole bunch of spikes on my Phalaenopsis orchids! My two Tolumnias have spikes as well. I spent some time photographing the spikes the other day so that I could share pics here.

Before we dive in to my spike extravaganza, I want to remind readers that my 2024 calendar is available in my Zazzle shop. As of this posting, you can get 15% off using the code ZHOLIDAY2023 at checkout.

Okay! The first spike I’ll share is the Phalaenopsis that’s farthest along in the blooming process, with several buds already developing:

Phalaenopsis orchid buds

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Current Orchid Blooms in my Greenhouse

Seventeen Blooming Orchids!

As promised, I’m finally sharing photos of all the orchids currently blooming in my collection! Having a greenhouse has really stepped up the number of blooms that my orchids provide me with each year. Blooming was more sporadic when I growing orchids in my various apartments over the years.

First, take a look at this stunning Phalaenopsis that John got me a couple years ago:

NOID Trader Joe's Phalaenopsis bloom

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