Stars in the grass
Exotic and striking in appearance, orchids can be found in a diverse range of habitats – between now and September is the perfect time to see them in full colour.
Exotic and striking in appearance, orchids can be found in a diverse range of habitats – between now and September is the perfect time to see them in full colour.
Local lawn care expert and former head greenkeeper, Ian Stephens, loves grass and his work creating healthy, vibrant lawns at homes across Notts and Lincs. But Ian has long seen ‘beyond the green…
Not only are wild orchids beautiful to look at, they are also the undisputed masters of mimicry.
Think of flowering wild orchids and the bliss of the midsummer months may come to mind. Many of these superstars of the wildflower world, however, begin emerging in early spring.
The Early purple orchid is one of the first orchids to pop up in spring. Look for its pinkish-purple flowers from April, when bluebells still carpet our woodland floors. Its leaves are dark green…
This is probably the most widespread and commonest of the marsh orchids.
The bee orchid is a sneaky mimic - the flower’s velvety lip looks like a female bee. Males fly in to try to mate with it and end up pollinating the flower. Sadly, the right bee species doesn’t…
This unassuming orchid is easily overlooked. It is found patchily across the UK, but has been declining for decades.
The pyramidal orchid lives up to its name - look for a bright pinky-purple, densely packed pyramid of flowers atop a green stem. It likes chalk grassland, sand dunes, roadside verges and quarries…
Bats are as charismatic as they are misunderstood, and summer is the best time of year to see them.
A short, but pretty plant of unimproved grasslands, the Green-winged orchid gets its name from the green veins in the 'hood' of its flowers. Look for it in May and June.
The grass snake is our longest snake, but don't worry if you find one in the compost heap - it's harmless! Look out for this green and yellow beauty in grasslands and wetlands, too.