January 15, 2020—Orchid lovers delight! The U.S. Postal Service issues its new Wild Orchids Forever Stamps on February 21, 2020. Photographed by Jim Fowler and designed by Ethel Kessler, the stamps celebrate orchid species that grow wild across the United States, from the California lady’s slipper to the marsh lady’s tresses found as far north as Delaware.
While orchids are a favorite houseplant (see our guide for growing them at home), tens of thousands of species grow wild around the globe. More than 100 of those are native to North America’s damp woodland areas, and by showcasing nine of those species on Forever Stamps, the USPS helps raise awareness of our local flora. Do you recognize the featured orchids? Find the name for each in the gallery below.
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Wild Orchids Forever Stamps will be available in books of 20, as well as coils of 3,000 and 10,000. Suffice it to say we know what stamps we’ll be choosing for Easter, Mother’s Day, and graduation season. On the heels of the Laura Dowling Holiday Wreath Stamps released last November, it seems the U.S. Postal Service is doing its best to entice lovers of flowers and floral design. And it’s working.
By Terri Robertson
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