Northern Orchidaceae

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On Tuesday 29th April 2025 I had the fortune to be able to meet the honourable Gardener – Mr Alan Titchmarsh CBE. This meeting came about after I contacted the Friends of Bolton Priory to ask if could hand over a copy of my book; The Dales Slipper (Past-Present) to Alan, as I felt that he might be able to drum up some interest in it to make more sales, but also with the hope that he might give me any feedback or even a review. Surprisingly I have much in common with Alan , probably more than he realised! Like him, I have a Parks Apprenticeship and also went to study at a Botanic Garden, and worked at Kew  Gardens, on exchange for several weeks. Indeed, I also know one of his fellow gardeners on his TV programme 'Love My Garden' – I used to teach Katie Rushworth garden design and was present overseeing her fill in her application form to get on the programme. Anyhow, I haven't heard from Alan yet, maybe he's too busy writing his own books to read mine. Nevertheless I tho...

  Enjoy this Informative 2021 Video Length – circa 13mins Click The Image to open Youtube Video The above image was taken by the late Alan Gendle. I sent him some surplus Bee Orchid corms that needed re-homing. Alan was happy to take them off my hands. As you can see he planted some of them in a small group, presumably so he could monitor them. He chose a good sunny spot for them and they appear to be doing rather well amongst several orchid species. I don't know where he put them, he didn't say, but I have a feeling they might be on an embankment at Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve, part of Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Alan was reserve manager there at the time.    

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Across Malham Tarn towards the raised bog. On 24th June 2025, I joined forces with 'The Upper Wharfedale Field Society' on a botany field excursion to Malham Tarn board walk trail and Sinks around the Tarn. Unfortunately the weather wasn't so good, it was dark and overcast with rain was forecast throughout the day. Nevertheless, with great fortune, as we put on our waterproofs, the heavy rain eased and we were able to venture to the boardwalk to enjoy the beauty of the place. I wasn't leading the group, but as we entered, by the gateway, I introduced the group to the first interesting find of the day! Not an orchid, but the Nettle-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium) . It is relatively similar to the Giant Bellflower (Campanula latifolia) however, it is easily distinguishable due to its overtly nettle-like leaves and particular hairy stems. I guess thats a great reason to be part of a group - each of us have a different knowledge of plants and collectively can quic...

What are we? People who study plants for a living are generally called botanists; you can however be an amateur one or you can simply be a plant lover! Someone with a direct interest in orchids, especially those in the wild, is often referred to as an orchidologist, thus it can be said we are all botanists. In addition, we need to think like an ecologist! In studying wild plants it is also usual that you need to understand their ecological processes for success. There is a need to understand the individual aspects (autecology) of a particular species but also its relationship and processes that enable it to thrive and evolve in a community of plants (synecology) within each habitat. For example; most orchids have a relationship with a fungus or if saprophitic have a common host. Being an orchidologists isn't simply about ticking off plants you have seen, it is probably best described as the study of ecology through the focus of one particular genera of plants. For the novice they w...

Three Bee Orchids (B01). For several years I had the fortune to grow many Bee Orchids. As a grower and a photographer the advantage of having several hundred Bee orchids at your disposal was a dream come true.  I was able to experiment with my photography to capture these remarkable little beauties at their peak and in many different positions. What I have available are some super high quality images - and these can be purchased at any size, on a variety of specialist papers, framed or unframed. These are all printed at one of the UK's top art printers and can be supplied direct to you with a turnaround of three working days. Over the months I will be posting many more incredible images like this, that I have been fortunate to be able to produce.  If you are interested in purchasing any of my images please do not hesitate to contact me.  Three Bee Orchids (B02).

My Special Orchid Find. Orchids come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) are certainly one of those orchids that thrill you every time they are seen. As far as orchids go, they are relatively common throughout the UK, on chalky or limestone soils, former quarries, dunes, roadside verges or in places where limestone or chalk has previously being deposited. Here in the north they are less seen than in many southern counties, however when you come across one you are usually quick to notice many more. On some sites they have been known to occur in the thousands, but those circumstances seem to be more rarer these days. Rarer still are variegated plants and in particular members of Orchidaceae.  Immature leaves are strap like and spreading.                   In maturity, leaves are distinctly shorter, reflexed and often overlapping and in a tighter rosette form. This variegated Bee Orchid - the only...

Marsh Fragrant Orchids amongst Betony, July 2025. A couple of weeks ago I headed to some of my favourite orchid hunting groups in South Lakes. It was a great day out, and a super sunny and very hot day! On the way back I decided to visit another orchid haunt, in Yorkshire. As I headed north a flash of crimson spears illuminated a roadside embankment. I continued travelling at least a mile before I could turn around and head back. Then on the way back I had to travel at least another mile, past the embankment, before I could then turn around again to be able to park on the opposite side of the road close to the embankment. A short walk back I was able to quickly determine the beauty of a large colony of Marsh Fragrant Orchids (Gymnadenia densiflora). These were stunners and looked highly photogenic amongst the Betony (Stachys officinalis). The problem I had to overcome is that in order photograph them I had to perch on a steep part of the embankment and do so safely, away from traffi...