Love in Bloom: Celebrate love with orchids at Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show


Fall head over heels this Valentine’s Day for the enchanting beauty of orchids—the perfect celebration of love and romance—at the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show, Orchids: Love in Bloom. Tickets are on sale now for the popular show, which opens on Friday, Feb. 14 and runs through Sunday, March 30.

Orchids: Love in Bloom will highlight the classic charm of love with vibrant displays of heart shaped arrangements and romantic backdrops. Romance blossoms with species like Dendrobium, Oncidium and Phalaenopsis in hues of pink, purple, and yellow.

Hanging baskets of orchid in the Madagascar GlasshouseHanging baskets of orchid in the Madagascar GlasshouseGuests will be surrounded by orchids throughout the indoor gardens and glasshouses.

“Orchids have long been symbols of love, beauty, and devotion, captivating hearts and inspiring admiration across cultures and centuries,” says Amanda Hannah, the Garden’s director of Botanical Garden horticulture. “Caring for orchids demands patience, dedication, and nurturing touch—qualities that mirror the essence of love itself. Beyond their beauty, orchids have sparked creativity in art, poetry, and storytelling, serving as timeless muses for passion and connection.”

This year’s show will display more than 100 distinct types of orchids with more than 3,000 flowers ranging from exotic blooms to well-known varieties.

Exhibits include:

  • The Ellipse, in the main lobby, features multiple garden beds brimming with live orchids set against a backdrop of cascading draped fabric and oversized paper flowers to create a dreamy, romantic ambience.
  • The Costa Rica Glasshouse will feature an enchanting tunnel of love—complete with an elegant orchid swan boat, making it the perfect photo spot.
  • The Japanese Garden overlook will spotlight rare orchids displayed in ‘sniffing booths,’ a play on the classic kissing booth.
Additionally, Orchids: Love in Bloom will feature a special art spotlight on Akron artist Kimberly Lavery, who is a graphic designer and painter, and Cleveland Heights artist Gunter Schwegler, who is a fiber artist specializing in silk painting.

Lavery’s “Sun Print Alphabet” is inspired by the natural world, where she experiments with color, texture, and shape-making to create something new. Schwegler’sFor the love of Silk” will grace the walls of the orchids show.

Events
Several special events are scheduled throughout the Orchids: Love in Bloom show.

Cleveland Botanical Garden is for Lovers: On Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. offers exclusive after-hours access to the Orchids show, with live music, tasty treats, and adult beverages for purchase at the café. Guest can also participate in a make-your-own valentine craft. The cost is $25 per person, with Holden Forests & Gardens members receiving first access to tickets (tickets open to the public on Saturday, Jan. 25).

Orchids After Dark: Every Saturday Orchids: Love in Bloom will be open until 8:30 p.m. Grab an orchid cocktail or mocktail and stroll through the indoor gardens and glasshouses, while listening to live classical musical performances by Cleveland Institute of Music.

Dendrobium Mini SnowflakeDendrobium Mini SnowflakeSteeped in Love: On Saturday, Feb. 15 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the perfect Valentine’s date! Delight your senses on a Valentine date. The event features six exquisite ChocolaTea tastings with four delectable food pairings to enhance the experience. Registration for Steeped in Love is $60 per person, $50 for HF&G members, $60 per nonmembers.

Orchids + Om: Ladies Night Out! On Friday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beauty Boost Cleveland will host a ladies’ night, where participants can enjoy a rejuvenating yoga class, enchanting sound bath, complimentary experience stations, and local shopping vendors. Tickets are $35 per person.

Greater Cleveland Orchid Society Show & Sale: The Greater Cleveland Orchid Society Show and Sale takes place Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 23 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Various orchid varieties, potting materials, and accessories will be available for purchase through various vendors Stop by Woodland Hall to view and vote for your favorite display. Access to the show and sale is included with general admission.

Classes
Learn everything you should know about caring for, celebrating, and admiring orchids with a selection of classes throughout Orchids: Love in Bloom.

Virtual Ask the Orchid Doctor: Join us on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a free virtual class on orchid care. Horticulturist Dawn Gerlica will help answer questions and talk about best practices for growing orchids. Because the classes take place on Zoom, participants can even show their plants from home. Registration is required.

Behind-the-Scenes Orchid Photography: On Sunday, Feb. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. a photography workshop will help participants capture Orchids: Love in Bloom up close with their bizarre shapes and fascinating colors. Photographer Debbie DiCarlo will host a workshop that includes the opportunity to get up close and personal with plants. Following a brief session with tips and tricks, participants will have the chance to explore the show with tripods before the doors open to the public. Registration is $120, $80 for HF&G members.

Kokedama allow orchids to hang from any surfaceKokedama allow orchids to hang from any surface Specialty Orchid Care: On Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., expand your orchid expertise beyond Phalaenopsis with this class designed to advance your skills. This program will introduce specialty species and delve into intricacies of their care with an opportunity to practice some skills. All participants will take home a specialty orchid to continue their learning at home. The class costs are $37 per member, $52 per non-member.

Orchids of Ohio: On Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., learn fun facts and useful identification tips for Ohio's native orchids. Presenter and naturalist Tom Sampliner has traveled the world photographing orchids. With a bloom season that commences in May and runs through October, Ohio’s orchids vary from large, colorful species reminiscent of the tropics to tiny, inconspicuous species. The presentation will cover orchid habitats in Ohio, their natural history, and includes beautiful images of rare to common species in the state. Registration is $10 for HF&G members, $25 for nonmembers.

Hand-Painting on Silk: On Saturday, March 29 from 9:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., learn from artist Gunter Schwegler what it takes to create silk pieces like those seen on display at Orchids: Love in Bloom. Use water-based dyes that flow like watercolor to create two painted silks, while learning techniques for painting on silk, like brush control, color mixing, shading. Supplies will be provided, and all levels of experience are welcome. Registration is $60 for HF&G members, $100 for non-members.

Browse the Botanical Garden

Cochlezella Amazing Andrea 'Pretty in Pink'Cochlezella Amazing Andrea 'Pretty in Pink'Visit the garden Eleanor Squire Library to peruse books for children and adults about orchids and more. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., schedule permitting.

Additionally, orchids, including some exotic varieties, will be available for purchase at the Garden Store, along with soil, fertilizer, and pots specifically for orchids. Take home a beautiful orchid to enjoy. Silk paintings, scarves, and other accessories by artist Gunter Schwegler are also available for purchase.

Admission to Orchids: Love in Bloom is $20 for adults; $14 for children ages three to 12; and free for children aged two and younger. Admission is free for Holden Forests & Gardens members.

Botanical Garden hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.; and Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Botanical Garden is closed on Mondays, except for on President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 17, President’s Day, when it is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are subject to change.

The Botanical Garden is located at 11030 East Blvd., in University Circle. Indoor parking is available for a fee, based on availability.