Between the vibrant shades of red and blue lies the captivating realm of purple. This year’s Orchid Show at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus invites you to explore an array of stunning purple flowers and foliage, celebrating the grandeur of this royal plant family. Purple is a prevalent color in the orchid family, appearing in both wild species and cultivated hybrids, showcasing their irresistible charm for both humans and pollinators.

The Orchid Show theme is PURPLE this year at Selby’s Botanical Gardens.

Titled The Orchid Show 2024: PURPLE! and presented by Better-Gro, the event features a breathtaking display of purple orchids in the Tropical Conservatory alongside an engaging exhibition of botanical prints and photographs in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. Visitors will be surrounded by a plethora of purple orchids and other plants with purple foliage, enhanced by ultraviolet lighting and purplish films that create an immersive visual experience. The museum will delve into the history of purple pigments and dyes, exploring its diverse associations with royalty, luxury, wisdom, and magic. Additionally, it will highlight various botanical connections to purple hues, including roses, violets, and, naturally, orchids.

At a media press preview, Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens, remarked, “Orchid Show 2024: PURPLE! is a fascinating exploration of color in botany and culture, from ancient royalty to the present. This show embodies our mission to provide visitors with an immersive experience, using color theory as a captivating lens. We are excited to welcome guests to this ‘purple’ edition of our beloved annual Orchid Show.

If You Go:

October 5 – December 1, 2024
Downtown Sarasota campus

Andrea Mastrocinque-Martone is Sarasota Event Calendar’s Chief Editor. She is the former A & E Editor for Sarasota Observer Newspapers and is currently a public relations consultant. www.Insightfulpr.com