At least 20 types of orchids will be in bloom this month at the American Orchid Society's greenhouse in Delray Beach, from the ruffled Laeliocattleya Tainan City ``Chian Chin'' to the slender Epidendrum ciliare.

There are classes on growing orchids, ``orchid doctors'' who can help you diagnose sick plants, a gift shop, and at the end of the month, The Delray Beach Orchid Society's 19th annual judged show and sale.

But the botanical gardens aren't just for orchid lovers. If you need a refresher course in South Florida flora or are looking for inspiration in spicing up your landscaping, the society's 3.5-acre grounds hold more than 1,000 rare flowering trees and palms -- gingers and begonias, salt-tolerant palm trees, Caribwood and Heavenly Bamboo, plumbago, bottlebrush, frangipani, tulip-tree, bird of paradise and hundreds more.

The American Orchid Society's gardens were on the verge of closing early this year for financial reasons, and some employees were laid off. But local orchid societies and other supporters raised $40,000 to keep the grounds open year-round and recruited volunteers to help care for plants and do other work.

The American Orchid Society's headquarters are at 16700 AOS Lane in Delray Beach, next to the Morikami Museum; 561-404-2000; www.aos.org. Admission: $10 (children 12 and under are free).

The Delray Beach Orchid Society's show and sale Oct. 30-Nov. 1 will include exhibits, sales of orchid-related items, a children's poster contest and other activities. Information: 561-638-9014 or www.delraybeachorchidsociety.com.

-- MARJIE LAMBERT

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@