For the past few years, Longwood Gardens has created some amazing miniature landscapes as part of their annual Orchid Extravaganza. In 2016, they designed a tropical clearing full of orchids. What they did was create streams, and meadows and fill them with orchid plants in various parts of the conservatory. It gave photographers a great chance to photograph some of the orchids in a semi-natural setting rather than just in a pot against a dark wall. So while the mini-landscapes weren’t realistic – they were great fun to photograph.

Here are a few of my photos from the tropical clearing.

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

Orchids in a Tropical Clearing ©2016 Patty Hankins

I’ll share the rest of my photos from this year’s fabulous orchid display at Longwood Gardens soon.