Rare orchid sighting If you want to see one of the most exciting orchid finds in more than 100 years, head out to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Great Hall of Orchids display by Saturday.
The Phragmipedium kovachii orchid's deep magenta flowers will only be on exhibit this week. The rare orchid was discovered in 2002 and is only the third one to flower in the United States. This species was grown from seed and acquired from Peruvian nurseries by Jerry Fischer, who owns Twin Cities-based Orchids Limited.
The Great Hall of Orchids exhibit features hundreds of specimens and continues through March 13. Admission is $9, ages 15 and under are free. There's no admission charge on Thursdays. 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska. Call 952-443-1400.
Home grown Stop by the garden shaped like the state of Minnesota at the Home and Patio Show this weekend. Local landscape company Mickman Brothers designed the beds to show how to use regional resources to spruce up your back yard. The Minnesota-themed garden features limestone walls, a concrete outdoor fireplace, and serpentine walkways designed to resemble the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.
The Home and Patio Show is open noon-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $2.50 for ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and under. For more information, visit www.homeandpatioshow.com or call 763-755-8111.
