Curious orchids in the British countryside

Neottia nidus-avis is known as our British native Bird’s-nest Orchid because its roots resemble a badly-made bird’s nest. It lacks both leaves and chlorophyll – all parts of the plant are a uniform brown colour.

In contrast our British native Monkey Orchid, Orchis simia, is vibrantly-coloured with flowers that seem to have monkey-like limbs and tails.

We are delighted to be sponsored at Chelsea this year by Albourne Partners Ltd, a UK-headquartered investment advisory firm with offices worldwide.

Britain's Bird's-nest Orchid, Neottia nidus-avis, lacks leaves and chlorophyll

The flowers of Britain's Monkey Orchid, Orchis simia, appear to have monkey-like limbs and tails 

A British sponsor for our Chelsea display

Our Chelsea exhibit, generously sponsored this year by Albourne Partners Ltd, will offer images and information about the beautiful and intriguing orchids which grow in the British countryside.

Albourne Partners Ltd is an independent advisory firm ‎headquartered in the UK with expertise across hedge funds, private equity, real assets and real estate.

Over 50 species of orchid are native to Great Britain. They all grow terrestrially (in the ground) and can be admired in Britain’s captivating landscapes without leaving our shores.

Britain’s Man Orchid, Orchis anthropophora, has flowers which seem to have the heads and limbs of tiny people while our Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera, resembles its insect pollinators.

Flowers of Orchis anthropophora seem to resemble tiny people

Ophrys insectifera is known as the Fly Orchid

Beautiful images highlight British native orchids at Chelsea

As usual, the OSGB’s Chelsea display will be staged using plants grown by the society’s members, friends and affiliates. 

Beautiful orchid images taken by society members will focus on the curious and undeniable attraction of these beguiling flowers.

Ophrys apifera is our British native Bee Orchid and is self-pollinating because its pollinator does not occur in this country.

Ophrys apifera - British native Bee Orchid

Chelsea exhibit building begins next week

The year’s Chelsea exhibit will showcase orchids from around the world displayed in a naturalistic setting. British native species will be highlighted using large-scale images on the rear wall of the display and information panels at the front will introduce visitors to a variety of our home-grown beauties and their exotic relations. 

We are pleased to welcome sponsorship from Albourne Partners Ltd, an independent advisory firm ‎headquartered in the UK with expertise across hedge funds, private equity, real assets and real estate.

Dactylorhiza fuchsii is one of our British native Marsh Orchids and readily colonises newly exposed ground; it can be a valuable indicator of the health of our environment. In contrast, Platanthera chlorantha, Britain’s Greater Butterfly Orchid, can be shy to flower and only bloom when conditions are perfect.

Dactylorhiza fuchsii - one of Britain's Marsh Orchids

Platanthera chlorantha - Britain's Greater Butterfly Orchids

All About Plants weekend at Wisley 20th and 21st June 2015

The OSGB will be exhibiting at RHS Garden Wisley's All About Plants weekend, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June, 9am to 6pm. Please come along and visit the show which will include exhibits by a wide variety of plant societies.

OSGB members (who are not RHS members) are entitled to a reduced-price entry of £8.00 to this event . The reduced-price entry applies to either Saturday or Sunday and is available only on production of a current OSGB membership card. (It applies to OSGB members only and not their guests.)

55 years at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Anacamptis morio is native the Britain

We begin building our RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibit two weeks from today. The theme this year is British native orchids and their exotic relations, showcasing species and hybrid orchids from around the world.

If you grow any of our beautiful native orchids, which will be in flower over the week of 18th May, please consider lending them for our display at Chelsea where they can be admired by the show's 157,000 visitors.

Contact Sam Hurley, tel: 07900 250247 or e-mail: sam@ballyhurley.com

This Saturday's speaker will be the OSGB Journal's editor, Sam Hurley, talking about 'Exhibiting orchids at Chelsea Flower Show'.

Sam has been part of the Chelsea display team since 2010, when she began by driving the van to collect members plants before going on to co-design the 2013 and 2014 Gold medal winning exhibits.

Her light-hearted talk takes a look at the history behind this world-famous show and examines how some of the society's recent exhibits have been created.

Sam Hurley helping to create the OSGB's display at Chelsea in 2011