You don't have to travel to distant countries to experience orchids in the wild. A walk in the forest is enough to meet the wonderful flowers. We have compiled the most beautiful types of orchids in Germany for you here.

Orchids are among the orchid species native to Germany

Of orchids and other German orchids - a selection

While the tropical orchids shiver at less than 10 degrees Celsius, native orchids are tough. Thus, the following types give you the unique opportunity to decorate the garden and balcony with the noble flowers:

  • Flesh-colored orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) convinces with crimson flowers on stems up to 60 cm high
  • White forest bird (Cephalanthera damasonium) impresses with ivory-colored flowers in poorly lit locations
  • Burnt orchid (Orchis ustulata) draws attention to itself with black, white and red orchid blossoms
  • Summer twisty root (Spiranthes aestivalis) presents its slender flower stalks only in the foothills of the Alps
  • Forest hyacinth (Platanthera bifolia) prefers to associate with deciduous trees

If you are struggling in the garden with swampy, damp niches, the flesh-colored orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) transforms these problematic locations into a summer flowering paradise. Flesh-red flowers with an impressive long-distance effect unfold from mid-May on stalks that are up to 60 cm high.

Yellow lady's slipper - Unique orchid on German soil

The yellow lady's slipper is a native orchid of superlatives. Cypripedium calceolus is the only species within the genus that thrives in our forests and is rightly called the most magnificent wild-growing orchid in Europe. The umbrella organization of the working groups of local orchids (AHO) voted the lady's slipper the orchid of the year 2010. These attributes characterize the plant:

  • A distinctive flower form with 4 reddish-brown tepals encircling a yellow, slipper-like lip
  • Long flowering period from May to summer
  • Over the years develops dense clumps with up to 40 flowering spikes

As a semi-shade plant, the yellow lady's slipper is primarily used to green light slopes or lies at the foot of mighty deciduous and coniferous trees. Unfortunately, the floral rarity is threatened with extinction in Germany due to improper forest management.

tips

The only lady's slipper orchid native to Germany has developed a clever strategy for pollination. Since it has no nectar to offer, it lures curious bees into a cauldron trap with its bright flowers. The hostages can only free themselves from the narrow funnel (€4.85) with difficulty. The pollen sticks to them, with which they pollinate neighboring orchids.

Category:

Indoor plants