Mrs. Post hired an orchid curator to tend these temperamental beauties and breed new varieties for her pleasure. The curator delivered orchids in bloom to the mansion throughout the year, always displaying them in Mrs. Posts’ bedroom, the breakfast room, the library, and the French drawing room. Mrs. Post was so fond of her orchids that she often had a large selection shipped from Hillwood to grace her rooms when she was in residence at her other properties. Today 2,500 orchids remain in cultivation in the greenhouses, while new varieties are added to carry on the tradition of filling the mansion with these exotic blooms.

 
Eventually, a sixth greenhouse was added for the production of cut flowers in winter when the cutting garden ceases to yield. Hillwood Museum and Gardens continues winter production of cut flowers today for use in the mansion. In autumn, the greenhouses are filled with standard chrysanthemums, just as Mrs. Post preferred. By winter, seasonal flowers of amaryllis, poinsettias, narcissus, camellias, and azaleas are in bloom. Early spring brings a flush of sweetly scented freesias, lilies, and snapdragons, accompanied by stock, Bells of Ireland, and forced tulips. Potted plants are transferred to the mansion to fill the nooks of the breakfast room. Long-stemmed flowers are arranged into magnificent centerpieces for the dining room table and into lavish sprays for the drawing room and pavilion.

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