Now Blooming: Cymbidium Pauwelsii 'Kessander' Orchid

In China, orchids have been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. Appreciated for their beauty and character, they figure prominently in Chinese culture. The philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE) saw orchids as symbolizing human virtues because the flowers provide fragrance even in the absence of admirers, like people of noble character who hold true to their principles regardless of their circumstances.

Orchids have always been of special interest at The Huntington. Henry E. Huntington's wife, Arabella, amassed one of the finest private orchid collections of the early 1900s. Today, The Huntington is home to one of the largest collections in the world. It includes many unusual species and truly spectacular specimens. The Cymbidium Pauwelsiii ‘Kessander’ orchid at The Huntington is among the largest in North America, spanning 7 feet in diameter and 8 feet in height when in bloom, and can produce more than 1,000 beautiful flowers.

More Plants "Now Blooming"