Selby Gardens' Orchid Ball celebrates new exhibit featuring George Harrison

George Harrison and The Beatles brought us “Here Comes the Sun,” but Marie Selby Botanical Gardens brought us the 2025 Orchid Ball: Here Comes the Moon on Feb. 8, marking the 51st year of the gala.

Known as the “quiet Beatle,” Harrison, who died in 2001 at the age of 58, has impressed with lyrics, music, the sitar — and who knew? — his gardening prowess. The Orchid Ball celebrates the opening of this year’s Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition: “A Gardener’s Life,” which explores connections between Harrison and his pastime of gardening. The installation features his music and lyrics throughout the gardens and will run through June 19.

The event was co-chaired by Liebe Gamble and Ashley Kozel. Held at the downtown Selby campus with about 500 guests in attendance, the event sported weather guaranteed to make any gardener happy: humidity at 82%, winds at 5 mph and a 2% chance of rain.

Glasses were raised for a special toast to celebrate Jennifer Rominiecki’s 10-year anniversary as president and CEO of Selby Gardens. Rominiecki’s credits include spearheading a master plan to shore up the facility’s infrastructure, which is being completed in three parts.

Proceeds from the Orchid Ball benefit international research, conservation and horticulture displays at Selby Gardens.