Ophrys

Ophrys - Small terrestrial Orchids, singularly beautiful, and among the most curious of plants. Many have been in cultivation, but these being tender plants, chiefly from S. Europe, they must have protection, and require much attention. A few native species, however, can be grown in gardens, and of these one of the most singularly beautiful is the Bee Orchis (O. apifera). This varies from 6 inches to more than 1 foot in height; it has a few glaucous leaves near the ground; flowers in early summer, the lip of a rich velvety brown with yellow markings, bearing a fanciful resemblance to a bee. It is usually considered difficult to grow, but it may be easily kept on dry banks in the rock garden in a firm bed of calcareous soil, or of loam mixed with broken limestone. It thrives best if the soil be surfaced with some very dwarf plant, or with an inch of cocoa-fibre and sand, so as to keep it moist and compact about the plants. Other interesting species for a collection of hardy Orchids are O. muscifera (Fly Orchis), arachnites and aranifera (Spider Orchis).

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