Orchids of Longwood

The Orchid Display House has 250-300 orchids in full bloom at all times.

Greg, Head of Orchids, explained that in two adjacent greenhouses, they have 4,400 orchids.

Each morning he comes into the Display House and removes any orchids which are

beginning to droop or have passed their prime.  He replaces them with new, perfect

orchids in full bloom.

Paphiopedelium Orchid.  Like a "Lady Slipper" flower.

There are more orchid varieties in the world than any other flower.

Pale lemon yellow "Patricia" orchids.

These fringed or bearded orchids only come in pale green.

"Speckled Sunlight" orchids.

"Masdevalia alba" orchids.

These orchids would not grow in Florida.  They come from high in the Andes Mountains

and are grown in a special air-conditioned greenhouse.

"Masdevalia Orchids."  Red-orange.

"Teacher's Pet" Orchids

"Mask of Zorro" Orchids

"Paphiopedelium Orchid" and "Purple Masdevalia Orchid" on left.

One of my favorites this year was the "Apple Blossom Orchid."  It is a hybrid of four

common varieties and comes in pure white, yellow (like this one), pink, and peach.

Greg recommended it highly as hardy, prolific, and with a lovely fresh aroma.

"Speckled Jane" Orchids

Flared and fluted orchids.

"Apple Blossom Orchids"

Waxy "Napoli" yellow orchids

Pale yellow "Ariadne Pines" Orchids

"Long Trumpeted White Orchids"

"Buttered Popcorn Orchids"

Hot Pink "Percy" Orchids

"Luscious Lavender" Orchids

"Lavender Tipped Apple Blossom Orchids"

I may try raising this variety.

"Tropical Butterfly Orchids"

Soft Lavender Orchids

"Juicy Mango Orchids"

White Cattleya Orchids

"Speckled Vanda Orchids"  

The whole plant, flowers, leaves, and roots is about five feet high, and you just hang it

someplace, no dirt.  Tiny hairs on the roots absorb moisture from the air.

"Lady Evelyn" Orchids

Two Fringed Chartreuse Orchids

A "Centipede Orchid"

Dark purple, almost black "Queen of the Night" Orchid

"Juicy Fruit Orange Orchid"

Lovely lavender cattleya orchids

"Polka Dot Patsy Orchids"

"Peach Blossom Orchids"

"Dainty Droplets" cream orchids

"Feisty White Orchids"

"Speckled Blue Lagoon Orchids"

"Aunt Gertie's Apron Orchids"

"Apple Blossom Orchids"

"Fatima's Scarf Orchids"

"Fulham Square Orchids"

"Speckled Argentina Orchids"

Visitor resting in rocking chair after long day enjoying Spring flowers.

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Idea Beds at Longwood Gardens

Another colorful outdoor area is the "Idea Garden," where new varieties of flowers from

many horticultural producers are planted.  In spring they are all daffodils and tulips,

about 120 plants of each variety, so visitors can see how they would look in their

home gardens.

"Private Eyes" was a red, pink, and white tulip.

Bed of "Private Eyes."

"Dutch Queen" is a variety named in honor of the Queen of Holland, House of Orange.

"Del Piero" was a striking purple and white variety.

"Del Piero Tulips."  I liked them.

"Del Pieros" on a different day, early in the morning.

"Crown of Dynasty" was a lovely pink lily-shaped tulip.

"Peppermint Patty"  red-and-white tulips.

"Golden Tango" was an early, short tulip with variegated leaves, which were

quite unusual.

"Golden Tango" lily-shaped tulips.

A bed of "Golden Tango" tulips.

One of the varieties highlighted this year was "Daydream," which was also

by the entrance.  Large flowers open bright yellow and in succeeding days turn

orange and then deeper orange.

A bed of "Daydream" tulips seen from above.

A bed of "Daydream" Tulips.

"Daydream Tulips" from above.

"Creme Upstar" were large tulips with white and yellow petals.

"Charming Beauty" were large, double, yellow tulips.

"Charming Beauty" double yellow tulips

"Van Eyck" Pink Tulips.

Beds of tulips in the "Idea Gardens."

"World's Favorite" - red tulip edged in yellow

"World's Favorite" Tulips

"Dream Catch Double Purple Tulip"

"Crispion Sweet."  These were one of my favorites.  Flowers are double and frilled, and the

stems are short.  Flowers are white when they open, then gradually become pink over

a few days.  Some open a deeper pink color.

"Crispion Sweet" double frilled pink tulips.

"Crispion Sweet" - double frilled pink tulip

"Rem's Favorite" large pink tulips.

"Yellow Mountain" double yellow tulips.

"Orange Princess" was named in honor of Princess Irene of the Netherlands, who

had stayed in Canada during the Second World War.

"Baronesse" was a lovely Early pink and white tulip with short stem.

"Purissima" was a beautiful large white tulip.

A bed of "Purissima."  Notice how the petals open up in the afternoon sun and warmth.

"Nightshade" Tulips are nice to photograph with the sun shining through them.

"Dainty White" Early Tulips

"Gudoshnik"Tulips were a mixture of red, yellow, and orange.

"Gudoshnik" Tulips

"Marianne" Lily-shaped tulips were a big hit last year and so they planted several beds

again this year.  Variegated, striped leaves are unusual.

A bed of "Marianne" Tulips.

"Marianne" Tulips from above.

"Orange Favourite" double tulips.

"Mariette Pink Tulips"

"Orange Cassini" had a touch of yellow along the edges.

"Galerie" fringed white tulip.

"Galerie" Fringed White Tulips

"Double Negri" dark purple double tulip

"Tequila Sunrise" tulip - yellow edged in red

"Orange Cassini" Tulips in one bed.

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