Actually, the beautiful flowers look very exotic. But are there also native orchids and species that survive our winters? We clarify and introduce native and hardy orchid species.
Orchids are among the most beautiful plants in our apartments and houses. But did you know that there are also native or at least hardy orchid species in this country? We would like to introduce you to these hardy orchids for the garden in detail, because some are surprisingly easy to cultivate. However, other of the native and hardy orchids turn out to be real divas with high demands - in line with the cliché.
Are there native orchids?
We also have real orchids in Germany. These beauties, which also appear exotic, are by no means epiphytes such as are found in tropical countries. Our European representatives live terrestrially, i.e. quite classically in the ground. Many of them are hardy here and can enrich our gardens with their extraordinary flair.
Tips for planting outdoor orchids: Outdoor orchids are not epiphytic, but have very special soil requirements. This should usually be acidic and low in nutrients. If you want to do without peat in the garden for good reason, you can use a special orchid soil. The pine bark and coconut chips it contains store a lot of water and at the same time slightly acidify the soil. Because orchid soil is rather coarse, it should be mixed with a finer, nutrient-poor substrate for outdoor planting. Simply use humus-rich, unfertilized garden soil or, for example, our Plantura organic herb and seed soil. The further supply of the outdoor orchid bed is then carried out with acidic bedrock based on bas alt and a gentle organic fertilizer. The organic soil activator from Plantura, for example, would be suitable for this.
Native orchids: The most beautiful native species
Not all of our wild orchids can be grown in nurseriesmultiply and plant in the garden. We will introduce you to the species that you can also establish in your garden given the right site conditions.
- Marsh Orchid (Epipactis palustris): This perennial orchid is native to all of Europe and even Scandinavia. It grows on moist, boggy locations and forms many runners there. This creates larger groups of the up to 70 centimeters high, brown-striped and white-flowered orchids. They grow in partially shaded to sunny, well moist locations. Some cultivars with altered flower color are also available.
- Wendelorchis (Spiranthes aestivalis, Spiranthes spiralis): The Wendel orchids are in Europe only rarely found, although they are also at home in very special, nutrient-poor locations in northern climes. Its German name comes from the fact that the white, greenish-veined flowers are arranged in a spiral on the tall inflorescence. Spiranthes aestivalis likes moist soil, while Spiranthes spiralis will do with a normal water supply and is sensitive to waterlogging. It particularly benefits from the incorporation of a coarse orchid soil that allows the water to drain off easily. For example, we recommend Floragard's peat-free orchid soil.
- Native lady's slipper (Cyprimedium calceolus): The lady's slipper native to us is extremely rare and only found in Northern and Central Europe on calcareous soils. It has wonderful bright yellow flowers. When planting in the garden, a mixture of substrate, clay, some rotted leaves and crushed limestone is used. The substrate should definitely allow water to drain off well and the location must be partially shaded. Once the lady's slipper has established itself, small colonies develop that bloom in June.
- Fox' orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii): The fox' orchid and three other types of orchid are all found in Germany , but are very rare and sometimes only found in special natural areas. Fox' orchid grows in semi-shady areas of forests and heathland. Broad-leaved orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis) is a little more common. It grows in very wet locations such as spring swamps, ditches and fens. Both species mentioned can be purchased in specialized nurseries. The flowers of the orchids are pink andthe foliage is distinctively mottled. Fox′ orchid benefits immensely from planting with special soil such as Floragard orchid soil and regular doses of sour bedrock powder.
- Two Leaf" (Neottia), Elfling (Herminium monorchis), Coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida), orchid (Ophrys) and black cabbage (Nigritella nigra): The list of native ones Orchids could be continued for quite a while. However, the vast majority of them are so difficult to cultivate that even specialist nurseries do not dare to try to propagate them. Incidentally, the vast majority are under nature protection. It is therefore better not to get the idea of using one of the Digging up beauties and transplanting them in the garden. Most likely, the delicate plants would not survive this change of location anyway.
By the way: Many native orchids are very sensitive to mineral fertilizers. Natural fertilizers and primarily organic fertilizers such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer are more suitable.
Hardy orchids for the garden
In addition to the native orchids, some genera and species from other regions of the world are also hardy here. These include, for example, the following:
- Japanese orchid (Bletilla striata): Japanese orchids are considered particularly suitable for beginners because they are relatively easy to care for. They already feel very comfortable in the sun or in partial shade on a humus-rich, loose and well-drained soil. They show extravagant and noble flower shapes in white, pink, violet to yellowish and greenish. Japanese orchids benefit if the soil is regularly loosened with good potting soil. Our Plantura organic potting soil, for example, is perfect for this.
- Moccasin Lady's Slipper (Cyprimedium reginae): Orchid of North American origin with white-pink flowers typically shaped like a round lady's slipper.
- Dactylorhiza maculata (Dactylorhiza maculata): A pink flowering orchid with dark purple spotted flowers; comes from Asia and also occurs in Europe. The orchid loves slightly acidic locations, so a special soil such as Floragard's orchid soil in combination with acidic bedrock flour creates the perfect conditions.
- Moor Pogonia(Pogonia ophioglossoides): These delicate pink flowering orchids come from North America and love very moist and acidic soil.
- Calanthe (Calanthe sieboldii, C.discolor, C. -Hybrids): Calanthe are Japanese terrestrial orchids that are hardy to about -10 °C in our country. Winter protection can therefore be necessary in cold winter zones. The flowers are colored yellow, red, pink or some variation in between and are very elegant. In order to develop well, calanthes need very fresh to moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil that is fertilized regularly. For example, our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is suitable for this.
Tip: The so-called farmer's orchid is not botanically related to orchids, but the decorative and bee-friendly plant can be planted in the garden just as well.
Are you not only interested in garden orchids, but in orchids in general? Then simply continue reading our article on the inexhaustible variety of orchid species.
Many thanks to Floragard for the support!