The Wildlife Trust
Our orchids
Natalie Rogers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Spotting
orchids is one of summer’s great pleasures and it’s orchid time in Hampshire.
From mid-May onwards stunning displays of these spectacular wildflowers can be
seen throughout the county. Of course, it helps to know where to look.
Orchids may be one of the largest and most distinctive families of flowering
plants in the world – there are around 18,500 species worldwide – but in the UK
we have just a small proportion: around 50 species of orchid in total. The
good news in our region is that we are lucky to have 31 of these in Hampshire,
together with a host of hybrids and varieties.
For many wildlife lovers orchids are the highlights of a summer stroll.
In fact these flowers have been providing inspiration for people far and wide throughout history, including many great figures of the past.
Shakespeare mentions the early purple orchid in Hamlet, whilst Charles Darwin studied orchid pollination, publishing in 1877 ‘The various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects’.
Our most unusual orchids – and where to spot them.
Fragrant orchid
Fragrant orchids are widespread throughout the UK and are quite
common on chalk. Look for plants 10-15cm in height varying in colour from pale
mauve to dark pink. See them in the New Forest from mid-May to early August.
Musk orchid
Hampshire is home to the largest population of musk orchids, a
species which is restricted to southern and south eastern England. They like
very short turf on chalk downs and steep sunny slopes. They grow to a height of
15cm and have greenish-yellow flowers. Find them at Noar Hill from mid-June
until early August.
Marsh helleborine
Marsh helleborines grow to between 20-60cm in height. They
flower from late June. Look for white petals with a pink base. Head for Greywell
Moors Wildlife Reserve.
Bog orchid
Hampshire is one of the best places to see bog orchids. They are
rare and they grow in bog pools and in floating carpets of bog mosses. They grow
to a height of 15cm but can be as small as 5cm. They have green flowers with
cream tinges. Look for them between July and mid-September. Spot them in the
bogs of the New Forest. But be warned, being so small, and growing in the
wettest places, they can be a challenge to find.
Sword leaved helleborine
These creamy-white orchids grow much taller than other species
you will find locally: up to 40cm. They are also one of the first helleborines
to flower each year, as early as the beginning of May. See them at Chappetts
Copse Wildlife Reserve
Find Out More
If you would like to find out more about Hampshire’s botany including our orchids, why not join the Hampshire Flora Group? The group runs a range of events throughout the year including guided walks and botanical surveys. Visit the Wildlife Trust’s website www.hwt.org.uk or call 01489 774 406 for further information.