Buffalo is home to some avid orchid aficionados, along with some pretty amazing orchid shows, thanks in part to the efforts of the Niagara Frontier Orchid Society (NFOS).
From September 28 through October 10, NFOS will be hosting a live plant exhibition inside the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Graycliff (main house) this fall. This will be a wonderful opportunity to view stellar architecture, along with the vibrant-yet-delicate plants.
The NFOS has organized this installation with care to reflect orchid species and hybrids that date to the time period that the Martin family enjoyed the property (the 1930s).
Dazzling plants such as orchids go hand-in-hand with the Graycliff estate. The property was the summer home to Isabelle Martin (wife of industrialist Darwin Martin), who had quite the green thumb. The house and grounds of Graycliff are both conducive to growing (and showing) plants. The house – with its glorious windows and special sink that supported Isabelle’s floral arranging hobby – offers plenty of display areas for all sorts of plants and flowers. The grounds, with its fully restored flower beds – detailed by landscape design architect Ellen Biddle Shipman – provide picturesque settings for both casual observers and adept photographers.
This is a wonderful opportunity to view the architecturally significant home, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Isabelle, while stepping into the shoes of Isabelle herself, who had a real knack for all things floral.
The Orchid Show at Graycliff will only be viewable on guided tours September 28 through October 10, or through self-guided tours offered on Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend, October 7, 8, & 9, 3-5pm each day. To plan your visit to see the Orchid Show at Graycliff, please head to experiencegraycliff.org for Graycliff tour offerings and admission.
A portion of the proceeds from the Open House Tours Oct 7-9 will be donated to the NFOS.
