I have been enjoying visits to Cathy’s beautiful garden in Bavaria for many years via her delightful Words and Herbs blog. Unfortunately, I was unable to contribute to the Week of Flowers in 2021, so I am determined to participate this year. It is going to be a challenge because the Hebridean summer went AWOL this year, so my choice of blooms a little eccentric and I’m going to cheat a little.
Please have a look at the other contributions (links on Cathy’s blog) and join us in our attempt to spread a little joy.
Day One: 30 November 2022: A trio of orchids
Left: Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Centre: Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. pulchella
Right: Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorrhiza incarnata ssp. coccinea
These orchids were all photographed on the same day, 2 July, just a stones throw from the croft house in our coastal grassland. The Early Marsh Orchids are the most abundant and are present in two main colour forms and are highly variable in stature and leaf markings. The Common Spotted Orchids are a fairly recent addition to the flora and are more delicate. I suspect that they were always here, but it has taken a while for the conditions to become right for them to flourish. It takes time to get the grazing regime right, but the Galaway heifers are working wonders.
I have a couple of small clumps of Dactyloriza orchids in my garden (a gift and of garden origin) which are doing well and flower profusely, but I think I prefer their wild relatives.
I love wild flowers too and orchids are something special because they are so rare. I haven’t come across any near our new garden yet. Lovely to see you have three different ones so near your garden. And lovely that you are joining in! 😃
Thank you Cathy. We are fortunate, orchids are relatively common here, and even grow on the roadside verges.
These are lovely, Christine, and every bit as lovely as anything of garden origin – or possibly more so, as you say. My Mum has some popping up in her garden, but just the ‘common’ ones
Wild orchids, even the “common” ones, in the garden are one of the best kept secrets of the western isles. They may be widespread and abundant, but most of us appreciate them.
These are so lovely!
Natural perfection!