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Our Story

Chadwick & Son Orchids Inc was founded in 1989 by long time orchid hobbyist Art Chadwick, and his wife, Anne, of Wilmington, DE, and their son, Arthur (Chadwick & Son), who purchased 18 acres of farmland in rural Powhatan County and built the first redwood greenhouse. During the following year, another greenhouse was added. Before long, there were nine greenhouses and many devoted employees.

The early success of the company can be traced to Art Sr., who had been growing orchids since 1945, and provided invaluable cultural and hybridizing experience. His many Cattleya hybrids adorn the pages of orchid magazines worldwide and he continues to be a regular feature writer for the American Orchid Society. We have included his articles from the American Orchid Society magazine, Orchids, including stunning images of cattleyas for your reading pleasure.

Today, visitors enjoy the personalized tours of the greenhouses where they often bring friends and neighbors and "make a day of it". They are always amazed at the enormity of the boarding operation where 10,000 plants are currently being grown for customers. The sales area offers the largest selection of blooming orchid plants in the area, and our knowledgeable staff can answer the most challenging cultural questions.

We look forward to seeing you!

Biography of Arthur E. Chadwick – President

He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State and an MBA from James Madison University. He founded the company in 1989 with his father who has been growing orchids since 1945.

Art is the narrator of the popular video, ‘Orchids are for Everyone’ and his orchid advice column appears monthly in the Richmond Times Dispatch. He spoke at the 2005 World Orchid Conference in France.

Art’s father is an authority on Cattleya species having written 28 articles for the American Orchid Society and a book entitled ‘Classic Cattleyas’ that was released in 2006 and shown on national TV on the Martha Stewart Show.

Chadwicks has named Cattleya hybrids after many high profile women including the wives of the last three U.S. Presidents, as well as a Vice President, a Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher), the late Princess Diana, and Martha Stewart. In most cases, Art has personally presented the flowers to the honored recipients.

Chadwicks currently operates nine greenhouses of orchids selling retail, wholesale, and boarding over 10,000 plants at their Powhatan nursery. Last year, they opened a retail orchid store in the museum district of Richmond.

The company was featured in the March 2005 issue of Southern Living magazine.

© The Baldwin Image 2003