2025 Virginia Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale A Taste for Orchids

Three Day Show and Sale Features Official American Orchid Society Judged show, Orchid displays from Societies within and around Virginia, Lectures and Demonstrations about Orchid Care and Culture, Juried Art Exhibit, and Nationally and Internationally Recognized Orchid Vendors

The Virginia Orchid Society, one of the United States’ oldest orchid societies, celebrates 76 years with the annual show and sale A Taste for Orchids at this year’s event. The three-day show and sale features an official American Orchid Society (AOS) judging event, orchid displays from Societies within and around Virginia, and sales from Nationally and Internationally recognized vendors. Special features will include a Juried Art Exhibit from 80+ local artists with orchid inspired art in a variety of media. Free to the public lectures and demonstrations will be given by orchid growers & hobbyists including a demonstration using miniature orchids in terrariums. A panel session of Society Members will answer questions and discuss local challenges to growing tropical plants in a temperate climate.

This year’s (2025) open public event, scheduled for 1-5 PM Friday, February 28, 9 AM – 5 PM Saturday, March 1, and 9 AM – 3 PM Sunday, March 2, will be held on site at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA. The closed AOS judging will occur from 9 AM – 1 PM Friday. Admission to the Sales and Lectures at the Kelley Education Center is free. Admission to the Orchid displays in the Robins Room is included with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden admission: Adults: $17; Seniors (age 65+) or Military: $14; Youth (age 3-12): $8; Children (under age 3): Free; Garden Members: Free

Founded in 1949, the Virginia Orchid Society is a member of the American Orchid Society and brings together orchid enthusiasts vying for coveted AOS breeding awards, leading orchid vendors providing the next exciting hybrid or rare species orchid, with the curious public who may only be familiar with local grocery store orchids.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is the perfect venue for the Society show. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden houses around 300 orchid species, including tropical, native, and cold-hardy varieties, with a particularly notable collection of Cattleya orchids, featuring over 145 varieties within their orchid collection alone.

Annual Show highlights include:

Art Chadwick of local Richmond business, Chadwick & Son, discussing Cattleya history, culture, and the naming of the First Ladies
Ken Meier from Orchid Enterprise, Alexandria, VA: Choosing the right orchid
Bill Goldner from Woodstream Orchids, Huntingtown, MD: Growing slipper orchids

About the VOS

Today, the Virginia Orchid Society reflects and celebrates its seventy-five plus years of existence. Not unlike many other organizations, the actual beginnings of the VOS were spread over several years, while the growth and maturation of this organization continues until now. The first and seminal meeting was a gathering in the garage/ potting shed of Evelyn Palmore, business woman and daughter of Granville Herndon, printer and publisher, Richmond, VA. Evelyn Palmore had grown orchids for a number of years in her backyard greenhouse in Richmond’s “Northside.”

VOS meets monthly on the third Sunday, September through May, in the Kelley Education Center at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Members and visitors are encouraged to bring their blooming orchids to the meetings for display and to share their growing experiences. Lecturers are invited to present information on their areas of orchid expertise, which includes hybridization, pest control, and history and culture.

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