Bee Orchids!

Just came to this site thanks to Wildflower. I can well understand such dedication, Hornbeam, and what great pictures these are. Have you travelled overseas in your quest for other specimens? Singapore is where the orchids really come into their own. The airport itself has eyecatching specimens and the route into the city is lined with exotic flowering trees. I was amazed to read your account of how the bee orchid manages to propagate itself - what a miracle nature is!

 

Hi Floris and thanks .

I limit myself to British wild flowers simply because there are so many that I have yet to find. I've travelled all over from Iceland to Africa, but have not collected their flowers sytematically because there are just too many of them. As it is, I am a real pain to go on a walk with as every few yards I'm down on my knees with my camera stuck in a flower :D

 

Thanks Shiney :D I guess that high summer will be the very worst time to move one, so perhaps a little later just before you mow them? There will be two round tubers just beneath the grass. That's how orchids got their name - "orchis" is Greek for testicles. Next time you want to swear at the bureaucrats - try giving two fingers and shouting "Orchis!!"

 

Excellent shot of an excellent plant! :D Nothing wrong with that photo, my friend. Why not enter it for the July competition - "Growing Wild"? It's a wild plant growing wild in your garden - I'll vote for it