Skip to main content

Advertisement

Dozens of orchids — and their 'superhero powers' — delight New England Botanic Garden visitors

Visitors to the New England Botanical Garden in Boylston revel in the splendor of orchids on display at the "Pixels + Petals" exhibit. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Visitors to the New England Botanic Garden in Boylston revel in the splendor of orchids on display at the "Pixels + Petals" exhibit. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

While winter’s chill still has its grip on the Boston region, the New England Botanic Garden is offering visitors a vibrant escape at its annual orchid exhibit.

The colorful display called "Pixels + Petals" in Boylston took inspiration from classic video games of the 1980s and ’90s, highlighting what organizers call the "superhero powers" of orchids.

One of the many varieties of orchids on display at the "Pixels and Petals" exhibition at the New England Botanical Garden in Boylston. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
One of the many varieties of orchids on display at the "Pixels and Petals" exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden in Boylston. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
A species of orchids with tiny petals at the "Pixels + Petals" display. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
A species of orchids with tiny petals at the "Pixels + Petals" display. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

“We just tried to bring out the fun of orchids,” Marissa Gallant, the garden’s director of education, said during a recent visit.

The show features about 100 varieties of orchids selected from the more than 28,000 species that exist worldwide. Flowers fill two indoor conservatories, immersing visitors in color and fragrance.

Playing in the background, guests may be hit with nostalgia as they hear popular theme songs from video game franchises like “Super Mario” or “Sonic the Hedgehog.”

Beyond admiring the displays, many visitors take time to engage with the space in different ways. Danielle Barbosa, who paused to journal during her visit, said the experience was uplifting.

Two patrons look at the vibrant display of orchids arranged in colorful boxes meant to evoke classic video games like Super Mario. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Two patrons look at the vibrant display of orchids arranged in colorful boxes meant to evoke classic video games like Super Mario. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

“The gentle hum of people who have this thing in common in a time like this is helpful,” she said. “The air just feels different here.”

The exhibit also draws groups like the UConn League Daytrippers, who used the outing to reconnect and learn more about the flowers.

“A lot of people don’t know anything about orchids,” said Ann Lojzim, a member of the group, who said she found the exhibit informative as she and the others walked around.

Orchids in the grow room for the New England Botanical Garden exhibit. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Orchids in the grow room for the New England Botanic Garden exhibit. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

But beyond teaching people of all ages about the plants, Megan Varnes, a horticulturist for the botanic garden, says it's about lifting people's spirits by showcasing nature's beauty.

“I just always every year ask for a rainbow as bright and beautiful and colorful and showy as possible, because this show is designed to just wow,” she said, noting the plants are rush-delivered in two days to the garden from Hawaii.

“It’s also botanically interesting,” Varnes added. She helps care for the diverse collection of orchids at the garden, including zygopetalum, whose species grow in places like Brazil and Peru.

“But it’s really that brightness in the wintertime," she said. "… It’s like the preview for spring.”

The key to keeping orchids healthy, according to Varnes, is knowing when to cut off dead blossoms — and having the patience to wait for them to bloom again.

The exhibit runs through March 23. And starting on April 4, the garden will hold an orchid sale, giving patrons the chance to take a plant from the exhibit home.

Cheryl Remlin, of southern New Hampshire, photographs a wall of orchids on display at the New England Botanical Garden. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Cheryl Remlin, of southern New Hampshire, photographs a wall of orchids on display at the New England Botanic Garden. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote to the garden's education director and published the wrong location for the garden. The story has been updated to fix both errors. The garden is located in Boylston, Mass. We regret the errors.

This article was originally published on February 28, 2025.

Mira Donaldson BU News Fellow

Mira Donaldson is a news fellow at WBUR.

More…

Advertisement

Advertisement

Listen Live