Actually, the beautiful flowers seem very exotic. But are there also native orchids and species that survive our winters? We clarify and present native and hardy orchid species.
Orchids are among the most beautiful plants in our apartments and houses. But did you know that it's also native, or at least hardy in this country orchid species gives? 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?
Real orchids are also native to 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 they have very special soil requirements. This should usually be acidic and low in nutrients. Anyone in the garden for good reason peat want to do without, can a special orchid soil use. 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 a humus-rich, unfertilized garden soil or, for example, ours Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil. The further supply of the outdoor orchid bed is then carried out with acidic bedrock based on basalt and a gentle organic fertilizer. For example, this would be suitable Organic soil activator from Plantura.
Native Orchids: The most beautiful native species
By no means all orchids that grow wild in our country can be propagated in nurseries and planted in the garden. We will introduce you to the species that you can also establish in your garden if the site conditions are right.
- Marsh marigold/marsh marigold (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.
- Wendel orchid (Spiranthes estivalis, Spiranthes spiralis): The spiral orchids are rarely found in Europe, 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 estivalis loves wet soil while Spiranthes spiralis a normal water supply is sufficient 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 the peat-free one Orchid soil from Floragard.
- native lady's slipper (Cyprimedium calceolus): The lady's slipper, which is native to us, is extremely rare throughout northern and central Europe and only occurs 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 established, the lady's slipper forms small colonies that bloom in June.
- fox' orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii): The fox' orchid and three other types of orchids are all found in Germany, but they are very rare and sometimes only found in special natural areas. Fox' orchid grows in semi-shady areas of forests and heathland. Somewhat more common is the broad-leaved orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis) to find. 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 orchid are pink and the foliage is distinctively mottled. Fox' orchid benefits immensely from a planting with special soil like that Floragard orchid soil and regular doses of sour bedrock meal.
- two leaf (Neottia), elf stem (Herminium monorchis), Coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida), orchid (Ophrys) and the black cabbage floret (Nigritella nigra): The list of native orchids could go on for quite a while. However, most of them are so difficult to cultivate that even specialist nurseries do not dare to try to propagate them. By the way, the vast majority is under nature protection. Therefore, it is better not to dig up one of the beauties and transplant them in the garden. Most likely, the sensitive plants would not survive this change of location anyway.
By the way: Many native orchids are very sensitive to mineral fertilizers. are more suitable natural fertilizers and primarily organic fertilizers like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer.
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:
- Japan 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. Ours, for example, is perfect for this Plantura organic potting soil.
- Moccasin women's shoe (Cyprimedium reginae): Orchid of North American origin with white-pink flowers typically shaped like a round lady's slipper.
- spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata): A pink flowering orchid with dark purple flecked blooms; comes from Asia and also occurs in Europe. The orchid loves slightly acidic locations, so here too a special soil like the Orchid soil from Floragard in combination with sour bedrock flour creates the perfect conditions.
- bog 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): Calanthes are Japanese terrestrial orchids that are hardy to around -10 °C here. 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. Ours, for example, is suitable for this Plantura organic universal fertilizer.
tip: The so-called peasant orchid botanically it is not related to orchids, but the decorative and bee-friendly plant can be planted in the garden just as well.
Are you interested not only in garden orchids, but in orchids in general? Then simply continue reading our article on the inexhaustible Diversity of orchid species.
Many thanks to Floragard for the support!
