Selby Gardens immerses in royal purple for 2024 Orchid Show

Known as the “Royal Family of Plants,” orchids are among the most stunning botanicals worldwide. Embracing the orchid’s regal status, Selby Gardens invites visitors to immerse in purple at the 2024 Orchid Show, running through December 1 at the downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound St. Presented by BeterGro, the event features captivating displays of purple orchids in the Tropical Conservatory, paired with botanical prints and photos in the Museum of Botany & the Arts.

The conservatory is adorned with an array of purple orchids and plants with lush purple foliage. The museum exhibition delves into the historical and cultural significance of purple, exploring its associations with royalty, wisdom, luxury, and magic.

“Orchid Show 2024: PURPLE! is a fascinating and fun exploration of color in botany and culture, from ancient royalty through today,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens. “This show typifies our efforts to create immersive experiences for our guests, and color theory is a fantastic way to achieve this. We are thrilled to welcome everyone to this ‘purple’ iteration of our beloved annual Orchid Show.”

Connecting with nature at Selby Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of serene bayfront spaces, fostering connections with epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, and Florida’s natural history. Situated on Sarasota Bay, the downtown campus is the only botanical garden globally focused on studying and displaying these air plants.

The downtown Sarasota campus boasts the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden, generating more energy than it consumes. Historic Spanish Point, less than 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay, offers an expansive preserve of native Florida plants and public archaeology, celebrating a 5,000-year record of Florida history.