PIXELS + PETALS, AN ORCHID EXHIBITION
February 8 – March 23, 10AM – 5PM
Included with general admission
Get ready for a blast from the past with New England Botanic Garden’s annual orchid exhibition. Showcased throughout the Garden’s two subtropical conservatories, Pixels + Petals combines the vibrant world of retro video games with the delicate beauty of orchids in a one-of-a-kind experience.
With over 2,000 blooming orchids and large-scale, immersive displays inspired by the pixelated charm of 8 and 16-bit graphics, Pixels + Petals invites visitors to adventure into the realm of plants and discover the wonder of orchids. This vibrant, creative, and fun-filled exhibition welcomes all to explore one of the planet’s most fascinating plant families. Rewind, flash back, and play along with us as nostalgia and nature unite. Join us during daytime general admission hours or level up the experience during our special Orchids After Dark events. Click here to view the Orchid guide.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Orchids After Dark (21+)
Fridays & Saturdays, February 14 – March 15 | 6–8PM
Experience the retro charm of Pixels + Petals, An Orchid Exhibition after-hours. Enjoy live music, drinks, and light bites while exploring our stunning orchid displays and curated ambience. Ticket price includes one free beverage and a unique night out.
Members: $20, Non-Members: $30
Orchid Sale
Friday, April 4, 10am–5pm.
After Pixels + Petals concludes there will be an opportunity to take some of the exquisite plants featured in the exhibition home with you.
February Vacation Week: Nature Quest
Free Drop-in Activities | All Ages
Gear up for an action-packed week of thrilling mini-games and exciting challenges that feel like you’ve stepped right into a video game. Embark on epic side quests in our youth classes or spend your day exploring the outdoors and unlocking hidden secrets of the plant realm. Adventure awaits—are you ready to play?
Saturday to Friday, February 15 to 21, 10AM–4PM
Memory Mosaic | Ages 8-12
Take a polaroid of your favorite orchid and decorate a frame with mosaic tiles inspired by Tetris.
Saturday, February 15, 11AM–12:30PM
Member: $22 CHILD, $0 ADULT
Non-Member: $30 CHILD, $20 ADULT
8-bit Orchids | Ages 8-12
Explore the outstanding orchid displays and create your own orchids using fuse beads.
Tuesday, February 18, 2–3:30PM
Member: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT
Non-Member: $28 CHILD, $20 ADULT
Orchid Prints | Ages 7-12
Explore the orchid exhibition and create colorful prints using a simple block-printing technique
Friday, February 21, 2–3:30PM
Member: $18 CHILD, $0 ADULT
Non-Member: $26 CHILD, $20 ADULT
Orchids in Watercolor | Ages 7-12
Learn the basics of painting with watercolors using our conservatory plants for inspiration
Sunday, March 2, 10:30AM–12PM
Member: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT
Non-Member: $28 CHILD, $20 ADULT
Orchid Exhibit Walk & Talk | NEBG HORTICULTURE STAFF
Explore our orchid exhibition, Pixels & Petals, before the garden opens to the public and learn more about the species that make up the display of over 2,000 orchids.
Wednesday, February 12
Wednesday, February 19
Wednesday, February 26;
March 5 & 12, 9–10AM
Member: $15; Non-Member: $35
Basics of Orchid Care and Repotting | DARYL YERDON
Learn essential techniques for repotting and properly caring for orchids with guidance from Daryl Yerdon, President of the New Hampshire Orchid Society, to help your plants stay healthy and bloom longer.
Wednesday, February 12, 6–9PM
Member: $55; Non-Member: $66
Photographing Orchids: Up-Close and Personal | NEBG STAFF
Join us after hours for an exclusive photography session. This is a self-guided opportunity to get up close and personal with the orchids and displays of our Pixels & Petals exhibition and practice your craft. Bring your own tripod and camera equipment.
Tuesday, February 11
Thursday, February 20
Tuesday, February 25;
March 4 and 13, 6–8:30PM
Member: $10; Non-Member: $15
Modern Orchid Floral Arrangements | HALEY CORMIER, BLUEBIRD BOUQUETS
Sometimes less truly is more, especially when working with luxurious orchids. Join Haley from Bluebird Bouquets as she takes you step-by-step in creating a sophisticated floral design featuring an assortment of eucalyptus, sedum, and soft ferns—plants full of texture that highlight the star of the show, Phalaenopsis orchids.
Thursday, February 13, 6– 9PM
Member: $105; Non-Member: $126
Botanical Mixology: Pixels + Petals | MEREDITH POWELL
Enhance the fun of Pixels + Petals with a hands-on cocktail making workshop with a botanical twist. MUST BE 21+.
Thursday, March 13, 6-8PM
Member: $60; Non-Member: $75
How many orchids are on display?
There are over 2,500 orchids displayed during the Garden’s annual Orchid Exhibition.
Are the orchids for sale?
Yes! Many of the orchids will be for sale at the conclusion of the exhibition. The sale will be open to the public on Friday, April 4. Check back soon for orchid sale details. The Garden Shop will have a limited number of orchids for sale during the exhibition.
What orchid species are on display?
The orchids on display change from year to year depending on the availability among growers. An Orchid Exhibition Guide will be available during the show and will include pictures to help identify the orchids on display by species and cultivar. The guide will also include orchid care instructions for those who may purchase plants at the end of the exhibition. The guide will be available for viewing on-site, or you can download it here (coming in January).
Where do the orchids come from?
The orchids are ordered annually from commercial growers.
Can I touch the orchids?
We ask you kindly not to touch the orchids. The orchid flowers are fragile. The more they are touched, the shorter their blossoms will last.
Who takes care of the orchids?
The Garden’s horticulture team takes exceptional care of all 2,500 orchids! They enlist the support of Garden volunteers to help with daily misting.
Where are the displays?
The orchids and accompanying sculptural displays are located in the Orangerie and Limonaia. Additional sculptures can be viewed in the Fern Gallery and the Milton Gallery.
Is the artwork for sale?
No, the beautiful artwork displayed during this exhibition is not for sale.
What are the sculptures made of?
The sculptures are made of aluminum and plexiglass.
How can I view the orchid displays?
Pixels + Petals, An Orchid Exhibition runs from February 8 to March 23. The exhibition is included with general admission and can be viewed during regular daytime hours throughout the duration of the exhibition. Orchids After Dark also offers a unique opportunity to view the exhibition in the evening.
When is the best time to visit?
The exhibit is open daily from 10AM to 5PM. To avoid the crowds, visit the exhibition during the week.
- The orchid family is one of the oldest, largest, and most diverse families of flowering plants.
- There are more than 28,000 known species of orchids.
- The first orchids developed over 100 million years ago during the time of dinosaurs!
- Orchids are found on all continents except for Antarctica.
- Orchids can grow on other plants (these orchids are called epiphytes) on or between rocks (lithophytes), or terrestrially on the ground.
- Orchids are pollinated by bees, wasps, flies, moths, butterflies, and birds.
- An estimated one-third of orchids use deceptive techniques to attract pollinators. The pollinators are seduced with false promises, yet no reward is received for their service in helping the orchid reproduce!
- There are over 200 orchid species in North America.
- About 45 orchids are found in Massachusetts.
- Orchids have the tiniest seeds in the world. One seedpod can contain 3 million seeds!
- The smallest orchid is about the size of a dime.
- The largest orchid weighs several hundred pounds.
- Some orchids are known to live up to 100 years.
- Did you know that vanilla comes from an orchid? The vanilla orchid is commercially grown and harvested for its seed pod, the vanilla bean.
- Orchid flowers are symmetrical; If you draw a line down the center of an orchid flower, the two sides are mirrors of each other.
Read our blog to learn more fascinating facts about orchids!