January 28-February 28, 10:00-4:00 daily

The circus is coming to the tropical Bolz Conservatory this winter!

Come one, come all, and gather Under the Glass Top of Olbrich’s Bolz Conservatory for Orchid Escape. Only in town for a limited engagement, be the first to witness the greatest show of plant diversity on Earth, featuring the fantastic Orchid Family.

Bring a friend and be amazed by the dizzying aerialist feats of phalaenopsis orchids flying overhead. Find orchids of every stripe under the big tent, from delicate Dancing Lady oncidiums to freaky bulbophyllum that reek of carrion. Be prepared to see some of the biggest, weirdest, most beautiful flowers the world has ever seen, straight from Olbrich’s mind-boggling orchid collection.

Step right up to the strongest man in the Midwest lifting unearthly amounts of orchids in baskets that would tip the scales. It’s guaranteed to be more fun than a ride in a hot-air balloon! During dreary February, everyone is just about ready to join the circus – at least for a few spins around the finest glasshouse in town.

Orchids have played a central role at the gardens since the opening of the Bolz Conservatory in 1991, and the permanent collections have grown significantly over the past few decades. To reflect this, the Conservatory team set out to create new programming that would highlight the beauty and variety of this unique plant family. The show will incorporate both new orchids special ordered from vendors as well as specimens from the permanent collections.

Admission:

$8 – General Admission

$5 – Child (ages 6-12)

FREE – Ages 5 & under

FREE – Olbrich members (adult/child)

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave., Madison

608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.