Like rock stars, these guys draw enthusiastic throngs of fans.

Orchids. Bromeliads, African violets. Such superstars ignite excitement and activity in South Florida.

Folks from novices to sophisticated hobbyists flock to festivals, shows and other flower-theme events to browse, buy and sometimes submit their own beauties for judging.

The hoopla kicks into gear during the fall, with plenty of action in the winter and spring.

Many events are multifaceted, appealing to an even broader range of attendees regardless of how green their thumbs. The events might include live music, lectures, activities for kids, food demos and art exhibits.

The warm South Florida weather fuels enthusiasm for these events — and the flowers themselves, said Colleen Hendrix, president of the Bromeliad Society of Broward. “People love to be outside, they love being in their gardens,” she said.

Another draw for some of the flower events is the opportunity to meander among a wide variety of favorite blossoms in a single venue. The Tamiami International Orchid Festival in January, for example, includes about 50 vendors, with some from Louisiana, Hawaii, South America, Taiwan and other parts of the world, said Martin Motes, the festival’s coordinator. Prices for plants reflect the variety, ranging from about $15 to $500, he said. One of the orchid groups that travels to the event by bus from elsewhere in Florida arranges for the bus to tow a trailer to tote back the passengers’ purchases, Motes said.

The appeal of flowers is broad.

While some people are intrigued by the intricacies of propagating, the main draw is simply their beauty, enthusiasts say. The assortment of shapes, patterns and bright bold hues is alluring. And some smell quite nice too.

Marilyn Barber, who earned the titles of master gardener and national wildlife habitat steward, incorporates many varieties of flowering plants in and around her Plantation home.

In addition to enjoying their beauty and pleasant aromas, Barber appreciates them because many flowering plants provide snacks and shelter for tired and hungry migrating birds and other wildlife. “If we create backyard habitats of plants with berries and flowers and nectar, we’re doing a great service,” she said.

Among flower events in South Florida, orchids are particularly popular.

Motes, who’s also president of Motes Orchids in the Redland area, estimates South Florida is home to about 250,000 orchid hobbyists, many of whom are eager to broaden their collections.

“There’s so much variety out there. So many fascinating variations on a theme, it becomes an irresistible temptation to many people to collect more and better orchids,’’ he said.

Another factor boosting the popularity is more mainstream access to a type of plant that previously was regarded as exotic, expensive and elite.

“People are now using orchids in their landscaping,” said Daniel Christensen of Dan & Margie Orchids in Southwest Ranches. “People just love them. They’re so user friendly.”

Similarly, the popularity of bromeliads may be attributed to their wide variety, rich colors and relatively easy maintenance, said Carl Bauer, a retired engineer from Pinecrest and president of the Bromeliad Society of South Florida.

Some are smooth. Others feature spines so sharp that owners don long sleeves, gloves and boots for protection, Bauer said. Some are about an inch tall. Others stretch several feet.

Within the broad spectrum, many types of bromeliads do quite well in South Florida, he said.

“They love it here,” he said. “They love the climate.”

Hendrix of the Bromeliad Society of Broward agrees. “Most of the time, they’re full of color. They just fit in well with the landscaping — with everything else that is popular in South Florida,” she said.

While his plants are relatively low-maintenance, Bauer puts in some extra effort for bromeliads bound for competition. He enters them at the Bromeliad Society of South Florida’s show and sale at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in April. Potential contenders are relocated to Bauer’s pool deck, where shiny, colorful potentially award-winning leaves are better protected from mud splotches and insects.

Competition is the highlight of some events. Most organizations present winners with ribbons or trophies.

Motes puts a different spin on that for the Tamiami Orchid Festival. Individual plants judged the best are rewarded with cash prizes, $1,000 and $500. The goal, Motes said, is to encourage orchid enthusiasts to showcase their top-quality plants in a forum that spectators may enjoy.