Monday, August 31, 2020

Orchids at Longwood

 


Longwood Gardens possesses 4,000+ varieties of orchids in their working greenhouses.
Three hundred orchids in full bloom are always on display in the Orchid House,
part of the conservatories.




There are more orchid varieties on earth than any other flower.




Each morning, an orchid specialist checks on the flowers; any that are wilting
are removed, and new orchids in full bloom are installed.




So, no mater when you visit Longwood, there will always be 300+ orchids in bloom.




Orchids do not grow in the ground, but they grow on trees.  So the orchids here
are all hung on the walls of the room.




Where I live in Florida, orchids are tied to trees outdoors and left alone.   They
thrive and bloom, rest, and bloom again.




Unusual Green Frilled Orchids




There is always an orchid specialist in the room who can answer questions visitor
have about orchid varieties, how to grow orchids, solutions to problems with
orchids, and all sorts of other questions.




The Orchid House actually has eight walls, covered with orchids.
This is a "Cream and Pink Phalaenopsis."




Lilac and Violet Phalaenopsis




Ruffled Purple and White Orchid




Lemon Drop Phalaenopsis Orchids




"Christmas Fairy" Cattleya Orchid
As you can see, every plant has a name tag to help visitors.




The Northeast Wall  and NNE Wall of the Orchid House.  The door to the right
leads into the Acacia Passage and to the Main Showroom of the Conservatory.
The door on the left leads into Mediterranean Garden House.




A cluster of white Cattleya Orchids.




"Shirley P" Miltoniopsis Orchid.




Violet Ground Orchids, which actually grow in the soil.  Spathyglossis.




Creamy White Cattleya Orchids




"Cocora" Orchids





"Androcles - Spider Orchid





Apple Blossom Orchids




"Spotted Millie" Phalaenopsis Orchids




"Pinstripe and Peach" Orchids




"White and Gold Orchids"




Purple Splotches Orchids




Raspberry Ribbons Orchids




Pale Lilac Vanda Orchids




East Wall of Orchids




"Ogres with Fangs" Orchids




"Lilac Cloud" Orchids




"Mlle Nitouche" Orchids




"Mlle Nitouche" Orchids




"Roger Barnett" orchid




Cluster of Ruffled Pink and White Orchids




Masdevilla Orchid.  This one requires cooler temperatures and grows at high altitudes
in South American Mountains.




"Mexican Hot Chile" Orchids




Peach Parfait Orchids




Wyndham Purple and White Orchids




"Diana" Peach and Purple Striped Orchids



"Featherstone" Purple and White Orchids



Antique Cabinet with White Orchids



_

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

My Begonias

My  Begonia  Garden

 
 

If I had a garden today, I would have hanging baskets
and planters of tuberous begonias.
 
Begonias come in many varieties, from the small Wax Begonias found in yards
 all over America, to the newer varieties like Rieger Begonias, and then
the magnificent tuberous begonias shown here.  I have found some of the
most beautiful tuberous begonias in great hanging baskets at the Montreal
 Botanic Gardens and others in Philadelphia and Chicago.
( I did not take all of these photos; some are from the internet. )
 
 
 
Rachel


 
 
Canary Song

 
 
 
Cinnamon Tang

 
 
 
Bridal Bouquet
 
 
 
 
Pink Petticoats
 
 

 
 
Miss Polly
 
 
 
Orange Popsicle
 
 
 
 
Orange Rustle
 
 
 
 
 Spanish Senorita
 
 
 
 
Princes Kate



 
Perfection
 


 
Red  Passion



 
Touch of Pink




Strawberries and Cream




Blushing  Bride




Snail Shell Tuberous Begonia Leaves





Adrienne




Mr. Pumpkin




Peppermint  Patty




Daphne




Snow  White




Infanta  Christina




 Excitement




Fandango


I hope you have enjoyed this stroll through my Virtual Begonia Garden.

John B