4# – How large is the orchid collection today?

The Garden’s orchid collection is one of the largest and finest in the country. We grow more than 8,100 orchid plants behind the scenes, in our greenhouses. They make up our largest living collection, representing over 2,500 unique species, varieties and hybrids.

The Garden grows many rare and unusual specimens. Some are over 100 years old. Our collection emphasizes the kinds of orchids that can survive St. Louis’s hot summers. For this display, our Horticulture staff shows you as many different varieties as they can, from florists’ corsage orchids to exotic new hybrids and historic rarities.