If you’re driving by Atlanta before April 14, 2013, Road Trips Gardeners, consider a stop at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia (map).

“Orchid Daze: Surreal Beauty” juxtaposes fanciful flowers and playful objects inspired by the surrealist imagination — a funhouse gallery frolicking with the fantastic forms of “Dancing ladies”, Persian Violets, slipper orchids and more.

The Fuqua Conservatory lobby is transformed into a conflagration of colors set ablaze with flaming reds, oranges, and yellows. Mirrored walls unexpectedly distort both orchids and viewers, visually melting the two into bizarre hybrid forms. Reflections magnify, stretch, fragment, and ripple space as visitors literally become part of the artistic composition. An orchid “rain” in pink and white descends from the atrium ceiling, filling the air with the topsy-turvy blossoms of Dendrobium and pastel Cymbidium reaching skyward.

In the Orchid House, a rarely encountered “shoe tree” flourishes in the formal bed. Fiery jewel-toned slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium) emerge from stilettos. The shoes hang like ripe buds from gnarled lace-covered branches. The “Moth Orchid Blast” explodes from the facing wall in yellow and terracotta tones.

(Photo courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden)