Orchids get a bad rap. They grow and bloom just like all other plants. They just need to be treated properly. A garden plant that's not planted in the right spot will refuse to bloom again, just like orchids not given the right amount of light or other cultural factors it needs.

If you think about it, orchids don't bloom any less than any other plant. All the plants in my garden bloom once a year - just like orchids. (my weeds also bloom once a year. So do food crops.) Then they go through a dormancy (winter) and then a growing process (putting on new leaves) and bloom again during their blooming season - about a year later. Most orchids don't even go through a dormancy - or at least a very long one.

In addition, orchids bloom a lot longer than a most of the perennials in my garden and they are a lot nicer.