When I think of orchids, I think of my mother-in-law, who always wore an orchid on Mother’s Day. She requested a cymbidium orchid for our wedding. I had heard of orchids, but never cymbidiums before. I mentioned it to our florist, who was also a cousin. Irene jotted it down as if it were no big thing. Little did I know then that cymbidiums are commonly used for corsages.
Over the years, I observed her carefully take her orchid off and put it in a little plastic bag that held a moistened paper towel. She would place it in the refrigerator. When I asked her why she did this, she said it would keep the orchid fresh and she would be able to wear it again, which she did, pinning it on her lapel for work the next day, and sometimes even the Sunday following Mother’s Day.
I thought about my mother-in-law last week as I passed a row of cymbidium orchids during an outing of our garden club to Orchids by Hausermann in Villa Park. As soon as I saw the sign naming this orchid, my mother-in-law came to mind. I was busy talking and now sorry I didn’t get a photo of one.
Hausermann’s, as most folks around here refer to this business, is the oldest and largest orchid producer in the Midwest, with clients around the world. It was started in 1920 and today is run by 4th and 5th generation family. Come February and March, Hausermann’s holds an open house on two weekends, inviting the public in to their growing spaces. While Hausermann’s is open to the public during business hours, this is a yearly opportunity to see the entire operations, including a peek through the glassed-in room where orchids are propagated.
We were able to walk the many connected greenhouses, taking in exotic scents and colors and features of hundreds of orchid varieties. Staff wheeled out more orchids as bare spots started to appear on tables. A holding station for selected orchids was available, allowing shoppers to continue to browse before purchasing their plants. There was even a room for refreshments, replete with coffee, tea, strudel, muffins, etc.
About ten of us managed to work our way to a long table where we rested and chatted and put the world to right on a cold and cloudy winter day. It was a casual gathering as members wandered about, left purchases with one of us while they ran back for another treasure. While my friends walked out with well-wrapped packages, I managed to leave without making a purchase. I did, however,manage to capture a few photos to share with you.
Beautiful photos Penny! What a lovely way to spend the day as we try to shake off the winter! My mother loved to wear an orchid on Mother’s Day too! It’s funny how that was once so common and today you never would see it.
LikeLike
Thank you, Janet. If you have never been to Hausermann’s, go sometime. You don’t have to buy, but, it is a little piece of paradise, especially on a winter day.
It seems to be one of those elegant touches and nod to detail that just don’t exist anymore. I cannot remember the last time I saw a woman wearing an orchid on Mother’s Day or even the random sighting when it might be someone’s birthday. It is a nice memory though. Enjoy today’s sunshine and warmer temps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a feast of orchids Penny, plus lovely memories of your mother-in-law. I enjoyed seeing these glorious blooms; thank you.
LikeLike
You are very welcome, Juliet. It’s funny how the mind takes us back to such little details, isn’t it? I can still see her tending to the corsage so she could wear it again. It was a feast for sure seeing so many orchids at this nursery.
Thank you, Juliet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures Penny, we used to have a small orchid grower here in Santa Cruz. I loved going there and buying orchids and having my plants repotted when they needed it. They sold the property and retired and I lost my interest in orchids.
LikeLike
That happens when a grower closes/moves. I just discovered that they will repot orchids at Hausermann’s the other day. I may become more adventuresome. 🙂 It is such a wonderful place to visit, especially during our long winter months.
Thank you, Gerlinde. The orchids were great at posing.
LikeLike
Oh, Penny! I just love visiting Hausermann’s at this time of year! There is so much to learn about orchids. I just love wandering through the greenhouses soaking in all of the color and sweet fragrance. It feels almost like a visit to the islands! I’ve been ill for a while, but look forward to a walk through Hausermann’s as soon as I can. I always bring my camera… so that I can take them *all* home with me! ♡
LikeLike
I hope you are beginning to feel better, Dawn. I was thinking you’ve been a bit quiet on your blog lately. Best wishes coming you way.
Isn’t Hausermann’s a tranquil destination? I took over 100 photos, and I know I wasn’t the only one. 🙂 So many, many gorgeous and varied blooms. It was very crowded on Friday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might be a few more weeks, but I can’t wait to visit Hausermann’s. Heartfelt thanks for the well wishes! ♡
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you go back soon and get a little plant for your own. From what I remember from mr. r’s days as a retail florist, they are hearty, cold-tolerant and stay fresh for quite a long time. Our jonquils are still blooming, I saw a robin the other day, the ducks are in the slough ready to lay their eggs, and the cats are taking real sunbaths. Life is good and Spring is in 3 weeks!
LikeLike
I just might go back, Marilyn.
I’m so happy to hear that your jonquils are still blooming. The tips of ours are just starting to poke through the soil. Hope. I did see a robin here, so more of them to follow. We actually hit 63 degrees this afternoon, probably breaking some record, and we will likely get more snow, but, daylight is longer and your cats are taking sunbaths, so, spring is coming. 🙂 Life is, indeed, good.
LikeLike
Oh my word! Such beauty! Thank you for these great photographs, Penny. That cymbidium orchid is gorgeous! So symmetrical.
I don’t know anything about orchids. But I knew a guy who raised them.
LikeLike
Thank you. They are such exotic specimens and so many varieties. Hausermann’s will repeat their open house this coming Sunday if you have a chance I think you would enjoy seeing these in person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Penny, you are gardening like I do…with pictures only (but I know this is just a one time thing for you). And your floral bouquet is wonderful as are the memories. I had a cymbidium orchid corsage for our wedding. (Bill was working part time for a florist while in college.)
LikeLike
Sallie, we are both gardening with our eyes and our cameras.
Your mentioning the cymbidium orchid corsage for your own wedding jogs my memory. I think it was what my mother-in-law wore as well. I must find the photos of her wedding. I think they are such an elegant flower for weddings – and lucky you with Bill working for a florist at the time. I hope this brings you pleasant memories and that all is well with you.
LikeLike
What glorious blooms! Orchids really are the most varied and exotic of flowers. No wonder your mother-in-law loved them.
LikeLike
I wish you could have been with us, Perpetua. There were some 3.5 miles worth of blooms and fragrances and delight. You are so right, they are varied and exotic flowers. My mother-in-law would have enjoyed this nursery.
LikeLike
You captured some wonderful photos, Penny. The colors are just gorgeous. I wonder if cymbidiums were particularly fashionable forty years ago or so, or maybe just coincidence, but they were also favorites of my mother-in-law. She and my sister-in-law cultivated several beautiful plants and I tried my hand at it, but didn’t have the success they did. I would have enjoyed your outing, certainly. I am particularly impressed that this has been a family nursery for so many generations. It seems to me that is quite exceptional! This must have been a delight to the senses on a wintry day! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Debra. I think they were particularly popular during the war years and then carried over when the war (WWII) was over and beyond. Many women during the 40’s often married quickly as their men went off to war, wearing a good suit or dress with the corsage pinned on. This orchid shipped well, so was a good corsage for folks here in the midwest. I have a dear friend who grows them and has shared them, but, sadly, I do not have as much luck with them. You can probably grow them outdoors in your climate.
Isn’t it amazing to see such a long lived family business. They started with roses and have specialized in orchids for decades. I think you would enjoy this nursery, Debra – and yes, it was a delight for the senses.
LikeLike