COLUMBIA (WACH) -- The Orchid on Riverbanks Festival is in full bloom at the botanical gardens this weekend.
Orchid lovers from South and North Carolina are flocking to the event.
Between 3 and 500 orchids on display are to be admired and purchased. That's more than you'd see in your normal botanical store.
Organizers expect lots of people this weekend because they say this is a flower that really grows on you.
"They're fairly addictive," explains Stan Hutto, President of the South Carolina Orchid Society. "It's like potato chips; you can't just have one. You've got to try different things and you grown one, you bloom one then you're hooked.
You can check out the orchid festival Saturday and Sunday during the zoo's normal operating hours.
Entrance is included with the price of admission. Visitors can also take advantage of classes on growing orchids.