The Mystery of Orchids - Paris Public Library

Edgar Allan Poe wrote stories filled with mystery, terror and wonder. No plant fills gardeners with more terror than orchids. The Friends of Paris Library invite you to Paris Public Library on March 23 at 6:30pm as Dick Wells of Hilltop Orchids guides us through the mysteries of these wonderful flowers.

Dick Wells has been growing orchids since 1954. He was in high school when he was first struck by the beauty and elegance of orchids. He and his wife Sandy own Hilltop Orchids (www.hilltoporchids.com) in Cloverdale, Indiana.

Their original plan was to operate a small business to support Dick's 'orchid habit' - one small 8 X 10 foot greenhouse. Somehow he must have given it too much fertilizer, because it's now over 9600 square feet of growing space with 65,000 plants and a propagation lab. Their hybrids have been nationally awarded and recognized.

In addition to selling beautiful orchids, Hilltop Orchids offers support and assistance to the hobby grower by providing orchid supplies and offering hands-on workshops. A selection of orchids will be available for purchase after the program.

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. Paris Public Library is located at 207 S. Main, Paris IL. For more information about the Mystery of Orchids or the Big Read, visit www.parispubliclibrary.org or call 217-463-3950.