AboutOrchids

In a chilly, windy July rain, near a trail with a long name, in between glaciers with longer names, orchids bloom in southern Iceland. Orchids near the Arctic Circle? In fact, orchids live just about everywhere on earth, including Iceland, which is home to seven native species. Two of them are shown here. The Heath Spotted Orchid has purple and white flowers, and the Vanilla Scented Bog Orchid has yellow flowers. My amazing mother-in-law Brenda took these great photos during a recent hiking tour in Iceland.

Two rows of photos above show the Heath Spotted Orchid, a terrestrial found in damp areas in Iceland, throughout Europe, and even into Siberia. The first row of photos shows one plant, and the second row shows another. Look closely to see how the purple spots and patches differ between the two, which happens a lot in this variable species.

The third row of photos below shows a Vanilla Scented Bog Orchid.  This species is native to eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Europe, and northern Russia. It’s reputed to have a sweet scent, and it also grows in cool, damp areas.

The final row of photos shows another orchid habitat view, and then two guide illustrations of other Icelandic species, the Frog Orchid and the Northern Green Orchid. All of these remarkable plants are the tough polar cousins of the tropical ones we know better. Whatever they lack in size or glamour, their ability to survive in a cold, harsh climate marks Icelandic orchids as true stars of the flower world. Photos courtesy of Brenda Hogue.

Western Australia’s south coast is suffering through an exceptionally dry winter, but some rare native orchids are thriving anyway. Local orchid lovers are finding Queen of Sheba Orchids and other fascinating Australian natives despite the drought. With underground tubers to store water, these little terrestrials can handle some adversity. Orchid enthusiast Robert Tozer noted “Only about a week or so ago I found these little Dark Banded Greenhoods growing on ground I would compare to a concrete floor. It was rock hard and yet this little orchid has come up and is still flowering. They are pretty solid and pretty resilient.”

From Auckland to Zululand, there are orchid shows, festivals, fairs, auctions, extravaganzas, and spectaculars. Go to any one of them and enjoy gorgeous flowers.

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San Francisco’s recent summer orchid show featured plenty of incredible sights. These photos highlight some amazing flowers on the strange fringes of the orchid family. They also demonstrate that no other flowering plant family can hold a candle to the astounding diversity of orchids. If we didn’t know better, would anybody guess that these organisms are related at all? It’s a boggling concept, yet they were all under one roof at Orchids in the Park. Find the first set of photos from the show here, and stay tuned for more as I continue to sort through our pictures.

Last weekend’s Orchids in the Park was another success. San Francisco’s summer orchid show featured great display tables, vendors, talks by experts, and more. This first set of photos just hints at the show’s riches. I’ve been growing and studying orchids for over two decades, and I can still reliably find fascinating colors, shapes, and fragrances at this show that are new to me. Check back soon to see more of our finds.

Lovers of North American native orchids won’t want to miss the Native Orchid Conference. This year’s event is happening July 26-30 at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. The annual conference features lectures and field trips to see native orchids in the wild.

Online, you can find Everything You Need to Know About North American Native Orchids at Gardenista. The article includes great photos and conservation info, too.

Don’t miss Orchids in the Park this weekend!  The SF Orchid Society’s summer show and sale is happening Saturday & Sunday, July 21 – 22, at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. These photos are a small sample of the incredible sights from last year’s event (see more from last year here and here.) Whether you’re interested in the latest hybrids or the strangest species, this is the place to find them. In addition to the show, there will be lots of vendors, care demos, raffles, and more. Buy tickets online or at the door. Don’t miss it!

For many people, life has changed on Hawaii’s Big Island since Kilauea’s latest eruption began in May. Among the property damage, the Honolulu Star Advertiser highlights an orchid business which lost greenhouses and plants. Other growers in the area have also been affected. Besides the threat of flowing lava, volcanic gases can be dangerous for both people and plants. Watch the video below for more.

Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California is packed with incredible cacti and succulents. As my mother-in-law said, “This garden just screams OUCH!” Spines, thorns, and barbs abound, along with stunning flowers, brilliant leaf colors, and striking plant forms. The 2.5 acre (1 hectare) public garden features thousands of drought tolerant plants, from tiny succulents to tall trees.

Walnut Creek is about 30 miles (48 km) inland from San Francisco, but many climate zones away from the cool, foggy coast. Hot, dry summers are the norm, with little or no fog. The area can be +35°F (+19°C) warmer than the coast, with days over 100°F (38°C) in summer and autumn. It’s not suitable for most orchids, but many orchids are also succulents. We spotted a blooming Epidendrum in a shaded area, shown in the final photo below.

Ruth Bancroft was a walnut farmer’s wife who became fascinated with succulents. She started acquiring plants, skillfully designed her garden, and became an expert in low-water, or xerophytic, gardening. Ruth Bancroft died in 2017 at the age of 109, a quarter century after her creation had opened to the public. The incredible collection she built is thriving, and continues to inspire plant lovers who don’t mind screaming OUCH! See more with The Bold Dry Garden: Lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden.

Orchid events are happening from San Francisco to Sweden to South Australia this month. Don’t miss these great opportunities to enjoy incredible flowers, take photos, talk to experts, and buy orchids.

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