The National Orchid Garden in Hawaii is a paradise for anyone who loves exotic blooms. With orchids of every color and shape, it’s a place that feels almost magical.
These plants thrive in Hawaii’s tropical climate, making the garden a showcase of natural beauty. Let’s check out some of the most breathtaking orchids you’ll find there.
1. Dendrobium Anosmum
Often called the fragrant dendrobium, this beauty releases a sweet aroma across Hawaii’s gardens. The pendulous stems cascade with pink-purple blooms that appear in early spring.
Visitors to the National Orchid Garden in Hawaii frequently photograph these showstoppers. Their ability to thrive in the islands’ humid climate makes them perfect representatives of Hawaiian orchid cultivation.
2. Vanda Sanderiana
Known as the ‘Queen of Philippine Orchids,’ this magnificent specimen has found a second home in Hawaii’s volcanic soil. Its large, flat flowers showcase a stunning pattern of purple spots on cream backgrounds.
Hawaiian gardeners prize this orchid for its spectacular blooms that can reach 5 inches across. At the National Orchid Garden, these beauties grow mounted rather than potted, mimicking their natural epiphytic habitat.
3. Phalaenopsis Schilleriana
The marbled leaves of this orchid are almost as striking as its arching sprays of pink flowers. Tourists visiting Hawaii often stop in their tracks when encountering these moth-like blooms.
Hawaiian climate provides perfect growing conditions for this Philippine native. The National Orchid Garden features several specimens that produce dozens of flowers on each spike, creating breathtaking displays throughout winter and spring.
4. Oncidium Sharry Baby
The chocolate scent wafting through certain sections of Hawaii’s garden comes from these delightful orchids. Their reddish-brown and white flowers resemble dancing ladies when the trade winds blow.
Many Hawaiian orchid enthusiasts grow these at home for their intoxicating fragrance. At the National Orchid Garden, these prolific bloomers produce multiple flower spikes, creating a forest of tiny dancers against the tropical backdrop.
5. Brassia Verrucosa
Spider orchids, as they’re commonly called, extend their spindly petals like arachnid legs. The yellowish-green flowers spotted with brown create an otherworldly effect against Hawaii’s lush foliage.
Hawaiian gardeners appreciate these orchids for their unusual appearance and ease of growth. The National Orchid Garden maintains several varieties that bloom multiple times yearly, fascinating visitors with their alien-like appearance.
6. Cymbidium Canaliculatum
Hardy and adaptable, these boat orchids produce impressive sprays of flowers in various colors. The Hawaiian climate allows them to grow larger than in many other locations, with robust pseudobulbs storing water for dry periods.
Hawaii’s National Orchid Garden features specimens with flower spikes reaching three feet in length. Their ability to withstand both sun and partial shade makes them versatile additions to the garden’s diverse collection.
7. Epidendrum Radicans
Fiery orange-red clusters light up the garden pathways with their vibrant presence. These ground orchids spread enthusiastically throughout Hawaii’s garden, creating stunning natural borders along walkways.
Hawaiian gardeners love these low-maintenance beauties that bloom almost year-round. At the National Orchid Garden, they create dramatic color contrasts against the emerald backdrop of tropical foliage and attract numerous native butterflies.
8. Vanilla Planifolia
The only orchid that produces an edible fruit thrives in Hawaii’s warm climate. These climbing vines produce delicate greenish-yellow flowers that must be hand-pollinated to develop into the prized vanilla beans.
Hawaiian vanilla production has grown from specimens like those displayed at the National Orchid Garden. Visitors can observe the entire growth cycle, from flowering vines to developing beans, offering a rare glimpse into commercial orchid cultivation.
9. Cattleya Labiata
Often called the Queen of Orchids, these showy flowers feature dramatic purple lips and ruffled petals. The Hawaiian climate allows them to develop exceptional size and vibrant coloration compared to greenhouse-grown specimens.
Hawaii’s National Orchid Garden showcases several rare Cattleya hybrids. Their intoxicating fragrance draws visitors to specific garden sections during peak blooming seasons, creating unforgettable sensory experiences unique to the islands.
10. Paphiopedilum Maudiae
Lady slipper orchids captivate with their pouch-like lower petals resembling delicate footwear. The mottled leaves create year-round interest even when these Hawaiian garden favorites aren’t blooming.
Hawaii’s sheltered garden environment provides perfect growing conditions for these terrestrial orchids. The National Orchid Garden’s collection includes rare color variations ranging from pure white to deep burgundy, showcasing the diversity possible within this fascinating genus.