On Thursday evening, the New York Botanical Garden took over the Plaza Hotel for its much-loved Orchid Dinner, transforming the Midtown landmark and its historic ballroom into a flower-filled world celebrating New York City. This story, as always, honored the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory’s annual orchid exhibit—in 2026, Mr. Flower Fantastic. The unknown artist behind the Orchid show combines high-end florals with pop art and street culture icons. Mr. Flower Fantastic often wears a mask to hide her identity, telling the New York Times that anonymity is “the most authentic way to share my work.”
The atmosphere was unmistakably New York, with subway signs and subtle city references woven into the tablescapes, each arrangement spilling and piling up like a skyscraper. Guests came dressed in floral-patterned dresses and suits, a nod to the fall of nighttime flora, while others sported halos with bright leaves and intricate flower crowns. The real stars of the evening, however, were the rows of rare orchids to be sold at auction, selected, as usual, by the curators of the New York Botanical Gardens and beautifully displayed in soft brown pots. Great fun daughter Martha Stewart he was rumored to have bought one for $300, though another cost as much as $550, with the proceeds supporting NYBG research, education and outreach equipment.
After the cocktail hour, the Observer saw the philanthropist Sharon Jacobcultural sponsors Steven R. Swartz again Tina Swartzdirector Kevin Cornisha supermodel Anne Vactor and singer Alex Newelljewelry Emily P. Wheeler and the artist Sarah Arno among flower lovers who like to riot. That night was managed by assistants Maureen K. Chilton again Richard L. Chilton, Susan Matelich again George Matelich, Allison Carmichael again Trent Carmichael. Christopher Griffinaka the Plant Kween, she looked especially radiant in head-to-toe jeweled florals that vied for attention with an array of prestigious floral tributes to the New York City icon.
A delightful dinner based on a floral theme: napkins decorated with green and yellow vines and a three-course menu—salad, light cod and chocolate dessert—designed to resemble delicate flowers. Around 9 p.m., as DJ Runna began his set, guests began to drift from the tables to the dance floor. “They move the party so fast, it’s great,” the publisher Joan Jedell he commented. In just a few minutes, most of the revelers had disappeared behind the colorful buildings, leaving an empty, magical garden.
Anne V
Christopher Griffin aka Plant Kween
Alex Newell
Joseph Augello and Tiffany Skilling
George Matelich, Susan Matelich and Raymond Vargas
Sharon Jacob
Kevin Cornish and Sara Arno
Amy Goldman Fowler and Cary Fowler
Marilyn Kirschner
Avalon Ashley Bellos
Emily Wheeler
Steven R. Swartz and Tina Swartz
Isabel Leeds
Elizabeth Mirante and Arthur Mirante
Molly Ford and Romane Recalde
