NY’s Most Beautiful Garden Turns Into A Floral ‘Concrete Jungle’ This February — Its Most Ambitious Orchid Show In 23 Years

New York winters are long, gray, relentless. But every February, one place in the city quietly turns into a warm, color-soaked fantasy — and this year, it’s going bigger than ever. The New York Botanical Garden has officially announced the 2026 Orchid Show , and it’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious (and New York–coded) editions yet. Opening February 7 , *The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle* will transform the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a surreal love letter to NYC — where subway stations bloom, slice shops spill orchids, and familiar city scenes are overtaken by thousands of flowers. A concrete jungle... made entirely of orchids ------------------------------------------- Now in its 23rd year , NYBG’s annual Orchid Show is already one of the most beloved winter traditions in the city, but 2026’s edition pushes the concept further than ever. For the first time, the exhibition is a solo institutional show designed by Mr. Flower Fantastic (MFF) — the New York–born, internationally sought-after floral artist known for blending flowers with fashion, pop culture, and street-inspired design . And for this show, his twist turning New York itself into the subject. Inside the conservatory, visitors will walk through orchid-covered streetscapes inspired by everyday city life: stoops, fire escapes, laundromats, hydrants, corner shops, and subway moments — all reimagined in bold color palettes and dense floral textures. Who is Mr. Flower Fantastic? ---------------------------- If the name sounds familiar, there’s a reason. Mr. Flower Fantastic rose to prominence after creating a viral floral sculpture of Serena Williams’ Nike “QUEEN” Air Max 97 during the U.S. Open a few years back — a moment that launched him into collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Adidas, Netflix, ESPN, Nike, Samsung , and more. A Queens native, MFF is also known for his anonymity and even has a history with art in the city — most recently unveiling a taxi sculpture at Queens Botanical Garden back in 2024. He appears publicly only in a black respirator mask and gloves — originally worn to protect him from a severe flower allergy, now part of his signature identity. His work is bold, sculptural, and deeply joyful — and at NYBG, he’s expanding beyond individual pieces to create an entire world visitors can move through. See it after dark at Orchid Nights with “the lushest bar in town” ----------------------------------------------------------------- Starting March 21 , the experience shifts after dark. On select evenings, NYBG hosts Orchid Nights — 21+ after-hours events often dubbed “the lushest bar in town.” Expect: * Music and dancing among glowing orchid installations * Cash bars and food for purchase * A crowd that skews more date-night and downtown energy than daytime garden stroll What to know before you go -------------------------- 📆 February 7 – April 26, 2026 📍 Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden (Bronx) 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now; timed entry required 🌙 Orchid Nights (21+): select evenings starting March 21 Source: https://secretnyc.co/orchid-show-nybg-2026-mr-flower-fantastic-concrete-jungle/