Best In Show - Orchids at the US National Arboretum

This weekend at the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC, the National Capital Orchid Society is presenting the 62nd Orchid Show and Sale. The show runs through October 12.


Hundreds of incredibly beautiful orchids are on display and for sale.  It is a show worth seeing, and an opportunity to explore the vast grounds of the Arboretum, enjoy the cooler weather, and see the colors of fall beginning to settle in.  

Many outstanding plants were laden with ribbons and commendations.  What struck me is that orchids, like people, have beauty that may be subtle or overwhelmingly powerful.  But they are all beautiful in unique ways.

With orchids, beauty may indeed be only skin deep.  It lasts such a short time before the plant, which is generally not very attractive, sheds its blossoms and puts all of its energy into producing flowers the next time - often a year away.

Choosing a best in show was impossible for me; the judges clearly had guidelines to go by that I was not aware of.

The more I saw, the more they started reminding me of fairies, cartoon characters and aliens. They have distinct characteristics that are unusual and sometimes comical. Most often they looked to me like fairy princesses with skinny little arms and southern belle ball gowns.


These photographs highlight only a few of the beauties.  Which do you think is the best in show?