Mr. Chrisman’s
First Orchid
Thrifty Drug Store, Beverly Hills -1947

Robert Chrisman, an avid gardener throughout his entire life, met his first orchid at the Thrifty Drug Store in Beverly Hills, California. It was a small three bulb piece of the hardy mexican laelia species, Laelia anceps. His collection grew and upon his retirement in 1957 moved to Santa Barbara to found his retirement nursery, Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.

Here, growing on this piece of giant Sequoia, is the original plant that Mr. Chrisman purchased in 1947!

Mr. Chrisman's laelia anceps is always on
display in the Chrisman Garden at the
Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.