Pantone 2014 Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

I can't let us get too far into January without highlighting Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid.  I love the rich violet-pink shade and thought it was fitting that the orchid I bought last November has a big splotch of "radiant orchid" on every bloom.  

I can show you the color, "Radiant Orchid" on my plant, a radiant orchid.  Get it?!

I love having an orchid blooming in my house in the winter.  They add a bit of drama and only require 3 ice cubes a week, in terms of care and water. Orchids are generally about $29 a plant (try and choose one with 2 main stems and many blossom buds along the tip of the stem - avoid any plant with yellowish-green buds, they have been through some type of trauma and are about to fall off before blooming.).  I mention all of this so that you can be on the lookout for an orchid for yourself or to give as a gift.  

I bought this magnificent plant for $5 at Home Depot the big shopping weekend after Thanksgiving.  They had at least 50 perfect orchids for sale - always keep your eye out.  An orchid is a wonderful addition to any room.

Remember when I visited the American Orchid Society in Delray Beach, Florida? 

Oahu Orchids

This little area of the orchid greenhouse looks like an opening scene for Fantasy Island, don't you think?  The mini-waterfall was charming and added moisture to the air.

After photographing orchids, we sat on a bench under an enormous tree and ate our lunch.  When traveling to a new city, investigate their gardens and see if it makes sense to add a stop on your itinerary.  A city can be so much more than shops, museums and restaurants - a few minutes in a butterfly garden just might add delight to your trip.

 

12 Days of Valentines Day: Day 7, Orchid Fever

It is Day 7, and you might be looking for a sugar-free way to spread a little love this Valentine's Day. May I suggest an orchid?

The most common orchid is called the phalaenopsis - it is the easiest to care for too. Just place 3 ice cubes on the moss once a week.  I saw a huge selection of orchids at the grocery store and identified this one as a phalaenopsis - oops!  I am glad the experts are helping me out - I've had 2 suggestions of the proper name and it looks like this particular orchid is a cymbidium.  The grocery store where I took the photograph was in Hawaii, and I realize now that it is on the mainland where I am so used to seeing phalaenopsis for sale, my mistake. 

I love orchids because each bloom lasts several weeks, and when one bloom is spent, several more will open up farther down the stem. They are lovely. The perfect gift for your parents, a roommate or your best buddy. Come on, everybody wants flowers!

Honolulu: Bird of Paradise

It's is easy to remember that I'm in "paradise" when I routinely see the exotic flower "Bird of Paradise" on my morning walk. Large healthy shrubs bloom along the paths here as part of the landscaping. It's lovely!

I haven't identified all of the flora yet, but there is an "Orchid Tree" blooming near my friend's place and when the breeze blows, the air smell so sweet!

Sugar Bowl Planter

What could be prettier on the front table?  Since I am hosting Easter dinner this year, my mind has been thinking a lot about dishes.  I will be setting two tables of eight (in kitchen and dining room) and I want the color scheme of each table to compliment one another.

As a result, I have been pulling out my collection of dishes and trying to come up with the best combination for each table.  I love this pattern (it was my grandmother's) but in my mind it is not sturdy enough for a big meal in a busy kitchen.  I just can't let a piece chip or break.  So...I came up with this way to showcase it.  A double stem miniature orchid that I "planted" in the sugar bowl!  It looks so sweet on the front table and because of the soft colors, has a decidedly Easter feel.  Love it!

Orchid Paradise

Isn't this orchid stunning?   I had a field day when I visited the American Orchid Society's national headquarters in Delray Beach, Florida.  Their greenhouse is an orchid lover's paradise - I loved it!

I always stick to the easy-to-care-for Phalaenopsis orchid when I'm decorating, but maybe I should replant my silver terrarium and use an exotic orchid like this as a focal point.  Hmm...

Orchid Stands

I'd like to shake the hand of the person who decided that orchids should be sold at "pop up" roadside stands in south Florida.

At least 150 Phalaenopsis orchids (the easiest to care for!) were waving in the the breeze trying to catch our attention the other day. They looked so beautiful on display and since they were priced at 3 for $25, we couldn't resist.

I love this type of orchid - each bloom will last for at least a month, so try to choose a plant that has a few tight green (not yellow - they will fall off unopened) buds at the end of the stalk. They will develop slowly and keep your plant as pretty as the day you bought it.

The trick to successful orchid care is the watering - set 3 ice cubes on the moss once a week and allow them to melt. Voila!

So if you see a glorious display of flowers for sale by the side of the road, pull over and take a look. Just don't stand too close to the curb when you are browsing...it's hard for drivers to keep their eye on the road!

Orchid Fever

This "grotto" is actually inside a 4,000 square foot greenhouse run by the American Orchid Society in Delray Beach, Florida.

Can you see the dots of raspberry and white throughout the picture? Those are orchid blooms (on their spikes)hanging among the fern and foliage around a waterfall.

I am going to buy an orchid today. I need a touch of color in the house and I can always count on an orchid in the Wintertime. Though I am linking you to the orchid care page, I will also tell you a watering trick my friend taught me last year.

"Once a week, set 3 ice cubes on the moss and allow them to melt." That is all the watering I did, and my orchid loved it.

Do you have orchid fever?

Roadside Stand

We've all seen trucks selling fresh seafood, produce, even roses by the roadside on occasion, but can you imagine seeing... orchids? We practically drove off the road.

There were at least 75 plants with a big sign that read "Orchids - For Sale."
These plants were bright, healthy and begging to be in a cachepot in every living room in Palm Beach.

Did we pullover and buy a plant? Absolutely.

They had me at "orchids."

Orchids

There is something about an orchid that can elevate a room. For years, it has been my "go to" plant for February and March, when the living room needs a little something special.

The widely available Phalaenopsis variety blooms for months and needs very little care. I thought it might be helpful to link to the American Orchid Society. I had the pleasure of visiting (and photographing) their unbelievable collection last year in Delray Beach, Florida and the colors and patterns were astounding.

Orchid Heaven

  The American Orchid Society has a Visitors Center and Botanical Garden in Delray Beach, Florida that is truly worth a visit. The Greenhouse has 5,000 orchids and tropical plants set off by a 14-foot-tall waterfall, footbridge and cork tree that add dimension to the ever-changing floral display. 

The grounds include a Jungle and Florida native plants garden as well as a gift shop loaded with orchid swag. I particularly like that you receive a "Plants in Bloom" guide sheet dated that morning - you know exactly what is blooming.

Have you ever bought a simple Phalaenopsis orchid? They are easy to care for and bloom for months - perfect for a formal living room.