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Orchids in Our Spring Garden

Red rose flower, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaTidy Tips flower, Layia platyglossa, yellow and white flower, native California species, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaSarcochilus hartmannii, orchid species flowers, large boulder orchid, ravine orchid, Australian native species, growing outdoors in Pacifica, California

After a rainy winter, our spring garden has burst into bloom, with orchids and more. The first two photos are not orchids: a very tough red rose and a brilliant yellow and white Tidy Tips. We didn’t know the rose was in our backyard for a few years, since it was completely encased by a large rosemary bush. One day the rosemary bizarrely produced a big red flower, and I discovered the rose. Considering it receives no summer water at all, it’s one tenacious plant. The delightful Tidy Tips is a native California species, and grows easily from seed here on the Northern California coast.

Laelia anceps 'Helen', orchid species flowers, Mexican native species, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaLaelia anceps 'Helen', orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, Mexican native species, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaLaelia anceps, orchid species flower, Mexican native species, growing outdoors in Pacifica, California

Many of these orchids may be familiar to regular readers. They’re all growing outdoors, exposed to the elements. I’ve had these plants for years, except for the white and yellow Laelia anceps ‘Helen’ shown in the previous row. I bought that one at an orchid show last year, and it’s proving to be just as hardy as its purple cousin in the third picture in that row.

Dockrillia striolata, AKA Dendrobium striolatum, miniature orchid species flower and leaves, Streaked rock orchid, Australian native species, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaDendrobium x delicatum, orchid hybrid flowers, Australian native orchid, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaMasdevallia coccinea var. xanthina 'M. Wayne Miller' AM/AOS, orchid species flowers, yellow flowers, growing outdoors in Pacifica, California

Sarcochilus, Dendrobiums, Masdevallias, and Cymbidiums have been reliable bloomers in our garden. Our mild coastal climate simulates a mountainous cloud forest environment so well that they thrive here. It ensures that we can enjoy lots of orchids in our spring garden.

Masdevallia coccinea var. xanthina 'M. Wayne Miller' AM/AOS, orchid species flower and buds, yellow flowers, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaCymbidium flowers, orchid hybrid flowers, growing outdoors in Pacifica, CaliforniaCymbidium flowers, orchid hybrid flowers, growing outdoors in Pacifica, California

Explore posts in the same categories: Cool Growers, Growing Orchids in San Francisco, Photos

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 5th, 2019 at 6:34 pm and is filed under Cool Growers, Growing Orchids in San Francisco, Photos.

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2 Comments on “Orchids in Our Spring Garden”

  1. Barbara Says:
    May 5th, 2019 at 9:51 am

    I live in San Francisco, about 1/4 mile from the ocean, with full western exposure in our backyard.

    I read your blog about growing in Pacifica in a very similar environment.

    I am interested in the specific varieties that are successful in your yard. I am a beginner and I don’t want to kill a lot of orchids that will not do well where I live.

    Thanks.

    Barbara

  2. Marc Says:
    May 5th, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    Hi Barbara. You can check out my blog for some of the answers. I’ve got a few posts below that include info about which varieties I’ve successfully grown:

    http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2012/04/16/outdoor-orchids-in-san-francisco/
    http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2012/05/18/outdoor-orchids-in-san-francisco-part-2/
    http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2016/09/07/growing-orchids-in-pacifica/
    http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2015/12/06/easy-cool-growing-orchid-species/

    I have names for some of the varieties I grow, but not all of them, so I can’t always give specific recommendations. That’s true for Cymbidiums, which I definitely recommend you try. There are many cool-growers which work well here, but I don’t have specific ID’s on mine. They’re tougher to find in the summer months, but starting in the autumn through winter and spring, you can find many nice, inexpensive hybrids in the stores. There are also many types of cool-growing Masdevallias and Odontoglossums, so they’re worth trying too.