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Hey guys.
I've been asked to get an orchid for a friend's upcoming birthday present. My friend has interest and some experience of the plants, so there's no worries that it won't be looked after. I myself can appreciate the beauty of orchids.. that's about it.
What I'm after is a plant that is fully hardy for the southern UK climate.
Colour and flower style is less important (though preference would be for purples), it's more the suitability for outside planting I'm interested in, as I'm thinking the choices are going to be fairly limited anyway(?)
Also, if it can be left, and then over time spread, even better.
I've done a little bit of research. The best I can find is Bletilla striata, but the info on it that I found says it is only half-hardy and would need a sheltered spot with heavy mulch to survive outside during winter. It's apparently better to lift the bulb(?) and store somewhere cool and dry over winter, or plant into a pot which can then be moved into an unheated structure (neither of which is ideal).
I've also noted Dactylorhiza, Epipactis and Platanthera as being recommended for UK gardens, but I don't know anything about these sub-species.
The garden where it'll be planted is in Brighton: it's hot and dry in summer, with chalky soil, but if that's no good then a raised bed is an option.
Any ideas or advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I've been asked to get an orchid for a friend's upcoming birthday present. My friend has interest and some experience of the plants, so there's no worries that it won't be looked after. I myself can appreciate the beauty of orchids.. that's about it.
What I'm after is a plant that is fully hardy for the southern UK climate.
Colour and flower style is less important (though preference would be for purples), it's more the suitability for outside planting I'm interested in, as I'm thinking the choices are going to be fairly limited anyway(?)
Also, if it can be left, and then over time spread, even better.
I've done a little bit of research. The best I can find is Bletilla striata, but the info on it that I found says it is only half-hardy and would need a sheltered spot with heavy mulch to survive outside during winter. It's apparently better to lift the bulb(?) and store somewhere cool and dry over winter, or plant into a pot which can then be moved into an unheated structure (neither of which is ideal).
I've also noted Dactylorhiza, Epipactis and Platanthera as being recommended for UK gardens, but I don't know anything about these sub-species.
The garden where it'll be planted is in Brighton: it's hot and dry in summer, with chalky soil, but if that's no good then a raised bed is an option.
Any ideas or advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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