Orchidaceae

A vast family with many species suitable for garden cultivation. Often thought difficult in the past, sufficient knowledge has been accumulated to enable successful establishment in a garden setting.

Dactylorhiza - the marsh orchids

Marsh Orchids can enhance any garden with their subtle beauty.  The most well-known are perhaps the Common Spotted Orchid, D. fuchsii and D. elata, which is often offered erroneously in garden centres as the Madeiran Orchid, D. foliosa.

Epipactis - the helleborines

A number of members of the genus Epipactis are native to the UK including the Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris, and the Broad-leaved Helleborine, Epipactis helleborine.

Both of these plants are worthy of cultivation as is their American cousin, Epipactis gigantea.