A richly photographed presentation of dozens of highly prized, rare, and unique orchid species.

For centuries, the orchid family (Orchidaceae) has enjoyed a special status among botanists and collectors. With over 25,000 species across six continents, their remarkable taxonomic diversity—showcasing dazzling variations in color, form, and adaptation—makes them one of the most coveted living treasures.

The renowned floral designer, photographer, and dedicated plant hunter invites readers into the complex, beautiful, and often surprising world of orchids. This book showcases in full color dozens of the most exceptional orchid species from across the globe, with notes on what makes each botanically important or unique.

An artistic photographic approach reveals the structure of each flower, bringing pattern, scale, and form into focus through a deconstructed view—a vibrant modern homage to classic herbarium plates. This allows for an unprecedented, close study of each flower’s morphology, revealing astonishing natural history facts such as how highly specialized coevolution attracts exclusive pollinators; the vast spectrum of orchid bloom sizes, from pinhead-tiny to as large as a dinner plate; and their astonishing habitat range, from shaded tropical valleys to chilly wind-blasted mountaintops.

An essential volume for orchid enthusiasts and flower lovers alike, this combination of artful photography and accessible-yet-rigorous botanical insight gives readers a deeper understanding of orchids and allows them to explore rare specimens that are truly living masterpieces of evolution.

About The Author

A passionate plantsman today, Robbie Honey began by exploring Zimbabwe’s wild grasslands as a boy. After studying horticulture and gaining experience in floriculture in Holland and Kenya, he worked in London and went on to contribute to the Wall Street Journal. Shane Connolly set up his eponymous company in 1989. Having held a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the former Prince of Wales for many years, Shane was delighted to be awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment by both HM The King and HM The Queen in 2024. Shane has also been awarded an MBE in 2025 for his contribution to sustainability within the flower industry.