Bee Orchids

The Bee Orchid is a native plant and can be found growing in pastures, field borders, banks and copses on dry chalk or limestone soils. It often occurs on recently disturbed soils and prefers open or slightly shaded places. Bee Orchids flower between June and July. They usually have between 2 and 5 flowers that grow one above the other in a spike-like head. The Bee Orchid gets its name from the shape of the flowers. Each flower has three erect pink sepals, two small green petals and a lip, which is yellow and brown with a velvety texture. Although it looks like a Bee it does not use them as its main method of pollination; the usual way is by self-pollination.

Bee Orchids grow to between 15 and 40 cm high. The light green leaves have no stalk and are oval to oblong in shape. The Bee Orchid is a perennial and the annual cycle is distinctive. The aerial part dries off after summer, leaving only the buried tuber, which sprouts again when good weather arrives. This orchid, like many others, is mysterious in its appearance. It often appears in large numbers on disturbed sites, remains for a few years and then vanishes. The Bee Orchid is probably the best known British Orchid. It is widespread and can be found in most counties of England and Wales. The Bee Orchid can be frequent and locally common in some parts of Great Britain, mainly in the South and East.

Bee Orchids are locally common in Hull and large populations occur on a number of sites around the City. The presence of such large numbers of Orchids in an urban area is unusual. In the world of flowers, Bee Orchids are the undisputed champions. Beauty, grace, sophistication and elegance. Can only four words describe the largest flowering genus today? Once thought too fragile to touch...even the novice gardener can undertake this amazingly sturdy and resilient plant and make it perform wonderfully. Most bee orchids require at least 50% humidity. To achieve this place plants on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Misting is also a good way to provide humidity. Grouping plants together is another excellent source for humidity, just be careful not to crowd them. Bee Orchids are usually repotted, and divided if desired, at least every three years.