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Orchids at Chelsea Physic Garden

Where can you find orchids in London besides Kew Gardens? Try the smaller, lesser-known, and older Chelsea Physic Garden. Inside its glasshouses, Chelsea Physic Garden houses a small but impressive orchid display. Founded in 1673 to study medicinal plants, it’s one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, 86 years older than Kew. I visited at the end of June, and found some great orchids in bloom. There were several beautiful and bizarre Stanhopeas in bud, and a couple more in flower.

Stanhopea oculata 'Aurea', orchid species in bloom at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UKStanhopea oculata 'Aurea' flower buds, orchid species at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UKStanhopea oculata 'Aurea', orchid species flowers at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK

These orchids were on display in the glasshouses next to the Gift Shop. The Tropical Corridor Glasshouse showcased this brilliant white Sobralia blossom and climbing Vanilla vine.

Sobralia macrantha, orchid species with white and yellow flower at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UKVanilla planifolia, orchid species, vine growing up wall in Tropical Corridor Glasshouse, at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UKLycaste x groganii, natural orchid hybrid, yellow flower side view, at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK

There were several large orchids hanging in intermediate glasshouses, too, including the Dendrobium and Coelogyne in the final two photos. They must be spectacular when in bloom, and they’re both fragrant, also.

Chelsea Physic Garden, Tropical Corridor, inside view of glasshouse, London, UKDendrobium kingianum, orchid species hanging in glasshouse at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UKCoelogyne cristata, orchid species hanging in glasshouse at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK, unfortunately not in bloom

Orchids are just a small part of Chelsea Physic Garden. Its main displays highlight medicinal, edible, and other useful plants, and also feature a new woodland grove. Don’t miss historic Chelsea Physic Garden when visiting London!

Explore posts in the same categories: Botanical Gardens, Photos

This entry was posted on Friday, July 17th, 2015 at 6:30 pm and is filed under Botanical Gardens, Photos.

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