Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle

A Love Letter to New York in Stunning Orchids until April 26, 2026

The metaphor for New York City as a “concrete jungle” has been used in the past, sometimes with negative connotations that implied ugly buildings, few green spaces, tall skyscrapers stealing light and air, and danger lurking around every corner.

But that conception of the city has long gone with the disappearance of the rotary phone. Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind “Concrete Jungle” blew it up forever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPggPjkoCjE) as did her autobiographical Broadway show Hell’s Kitchen.

Embodying Key’s song’s beauty and excitement, world-renown, in-demand, floral artist, Mr. Flower Fantastic, presents his view of the city in floral pageantry at NYBG. The show is his love letter to New York with captivating cityscapes punctuated with gorgeous, vibrant, many-hued orchids amidst design sculptures and supporting botanical arrangements that highlight familiar objects and places. The ebullient, fun displays present aspects of city life that all city dwellers take for granted and tourists may completely overlook.

In the Palms of the World Gallery, Mr. Flower Fantastic designs moth orchids flowing over and around the iconic townhouse found throughout each of the boroughs of the city.

Who is the show’s creator?

Mr. Flower Fantastic or MFF is one of the most in-demand floral artists in the world, known for transforming flowers into bold, sculptural pieces. Oftentimes, these meld art, fashion, and pop culture. As art comes in a variety of forms, Mr. Flower Fantastic has selected flowers as his medium. This selection carries an irony. Mr. Flower Fantastic is allergic to flowers. In response to this consequence, he embraces his allergies and turns this weakness into his brand strength.

Though his “fantastic” choice of his name and brand is outsized and attention grabbing, yet he is anonymous. You won’t be able to imprint him with facial recognition software because he wears a mask (respirator) and gloves reconciling his allergies with his passion for flowers instilled in him when he was a child. The respirator and gloves embody his style and charisma and allow him to focus on the floral medium as his message with anonymity. The unknown known is his identity.

The creator and NYBG staff selected a variety of showy blooms to cheer us through one of the colder winters in memory. His reiminaging is a lovely meld of “concrete” and green jungle to uplift us and make us smile for its cleverness and whimsy.

Stay tuned for PART II of my CONTINUED COVERAGE of the fantastic NYBG The Orchid Show Mr Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle. In the meantime, check out the programming being offered connected to the show including dates for Orchid Evenings on the NYBG website. https://www.nybg.org/event/the-orchid-show-mr-flower-fantastics-concrete-jungle/

Also, if you would like to check out MFF’s website to look at previous shows and/or items for sale, check this website: https://www.mffstudio.com/

Schedule your plans for a number of visits to the The Orchid Show, Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle. There is a lot to see that couldn’t be covered in just one post, thanks to the ingenuity of NYBG staff and MFF. The show ends April 26, 2026.