Native And Hardy Orchids: The Most Beautiful Species For The Garden

The beautiful flowers actually look very exotic. But are there also native orchids and species that survive our winters? We educate 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 indigenous 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. Others of the native and hardy orchids, however, turn out to be real divas with high demands – according to the cliché.

Are there native orchids?

Real orchids are also at home here in Germany. These beauties, which are also exotic, are by no means epiphytes, as can be found in tropical countries. Our European representatives live terrestrially, in other words, quite classically in the ground. Many of them are hardy with us and can therefore also enrich our gardens with their extraordinary flair.

Tips for planting outdoor orchids: Orchids for outdoors do not live epiphytic, but have very special demands on their soil. Usually, this should be sour and low in nutrients. If you want to do without peat in your garden for good reason, you can use special orchid soil. The pine bark and coconut chips contained therein 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 hummus, unfertilized garden soil. The further supply of the field orchid bed is then carried out with acidic primary rock flour based on basalt and a gentle organic fertilizer.

Native Orchids: The Most Beautiful Native Species

Not all orchids that grow wild in our country can also be propagated in nurseries and planted in the garden. We will introduce you to the species that you can establish in your garden if the site conditions are right.

• Sumpf-Ständelwurz / Sumpfwurz ( Epipactis palustris ): This perennial growing orchid is native to all of Europe and even Scandinavia. It grows in damp, boggy locations and forms many runners there. This creates larger groups of up to 70 centimeters high, brown-striped and white-flowered orchids. They grow in partially shaded to sunny, well-humid locations. There are also some cultivars with different flower colors available.
• Spiral orchids ( Spiranthes aestivalis, Spiranthes spiralis ): The spiral orchids are rarely found in Europe, although they are also at home in very special, nutrient-poor locations in northern regions. Its German name comes from the fact that the white, greenish-veined flowers are arranged in a spiral on the high inflorescence. Spiranthes aestivalis loves moist soils, while Spiranthes spiralis needs a normal water supply and is sensitive to waterlogging. It benefits particularly from working in coarse orchid soil that allows the water to drain off well. We recommend, for example, peat-free orchid soil.

• Domestic lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus): The lady’s slipper, which is native to us, is extremely rare in all of Northern and Central Europe and only occurs on limestone soils. It blooms wonderfully bright yellow. When planting in the garden, a mixture of the substrate, clay, some rotted leaves, and lime gravel is used. The subsoil should allow water to drain off the well and the location must be partially shaded. Once the lady’s slipper has established itself, small colonies develop that bloom in June.
• Fuchs ‘orchid ( Dactylorhiza fuchsii ): The fox’ orchid and three other species of orchid all occur in Germany, but are very rare and sometimes only to be found in special natural areas. Fuchs’ orchid grows in partially shaded areas of forests and heather areas. The broad-leaved orchid ( Dactylorhiza majalis ) is found somewhat more frequently. It grows in very wet locations such as spring swamps, ditches, and flat bogs. Both of these types can be purchased from specialized nurseries. The orchid flowers are pink and the foliage is markedly mottled. Fuchs’ orchid benefits immensely from planting with special soil and regular doses of sour primary rock flour.
• Two-leaf ( Neottia ), elf stem ( Herminium monarchies ), coral arum (Corallorhiza trifida ), ragwort ( Ophrys ), and the black cabbage rose ( Nigritella nigra ): the list of native orchids could go on for quite a while. Most of them, however, are so difficult to cultivate that even specialist gardeners do not dare to multiply them. Incidentally, the vast majority are under nature protection. So it would be better not to dig up one of the beauties and transplant it in the garden. Most likely, the sensitive plants would not survive this change of location anyway.

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By the way: Many domestic orchids are very sensitive to mineral fertilization. Natural fertilizers and primarily organic fertilizers are more suitable.

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Hardy orchids for the garden

In addition to the native orchids, some genera and species from other regions of the world are hardy with us. These include, for example, the following:

• Japanese orchids ( Bletilla striata ): Japanese orchids are particularly suitable for beginners because they are relatively easy to care for. In the sun or partial shade on humus-rich, loose and well-drained soil, they already feel very comfortable. They show extravagant and noble flower shapes in white, pink, violet to yellowish and greenish. Japanese orchids benefit when the soil is regularly loosened with good potting soil. Organic potting soil, for example, is perfect for this.
• Moccasin woman’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae): Orchid of North American origin with white-pink flowers that are typically shaped like a round lady’s slipper.
• Spotted orchid ( Dactylorhiza maculata ): A pink blooming orchid with a dark purple speckled flower; comes from Asia and is also found in Europe. The orchid loves slightly acidic locations so that special soil in combination with acidic primary rock flour creates the perfect conditions.
• Bog pogonia ( Pogonia ophioglossoides ): These pale pink flowering orchids come from North America and love very moist and acidic soils.
• Calanthe ( Calanthe Sieboldii, C. discolor, C. -Hybriden): Calanthe are Japanese land orchids that are hardy to around -10 ° C. Winter protection can therefore be necessary for cold winter zones. The flowers are colored yellow, red, pink, or a variation in between and are very elegant. To develop well, calanthes need very fresh to moist, humus-rich, and nutrient-rich soil that is regularly fertilized. Organic universal fertilizer, for example, is suitable for this.

Are you not only interested in garden orchids but orchids in general? Then just read on in our article on the inexhaustible variety of orchid species.