an unusual species for bewdley orchids

Epipactis gigantea, the Stream Orchid from North America

Epipactis gigantea of North America is usually known by the common name of the Stream Orchid. By great good fortune we have been given a thriving colony of this interesting orchid by Mr Taylor of Warwick. This is very much like our own Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris, with one major and several minor exceptions. The major difference is that the Stream Orchid, which thrives in wet places is the one of the commonest orchids of the Pacific coast, ranging from British Columbia to Mexico. Although it is quite happy with its feet in water, this is not necessary for it to thrive.

Epipactis palustris, our Marsh Helleborine

Epipactis gigantea from North America

This American species is very robust seeding well once it is established and being completely frost hardy. More than that it is an orchid species which grows on a creeping rhizome, rather than a pseudobulb, sending up new shoots at regular intervals and colonising quite extensive areas from a single plant.

Now that we have these plants growing in house we will be putting them for sale on the web site and at plant fairs. Although this is not a native British species we will sell them as garden plants for growing around damp areas and ponds in full sun or partial shade. Once these plants are established and have started to produce growing shoots in the Spring we will sell them on.