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Bog Orchidous And Insectivorous Plants |
 Among the many interesting North American plants which
are suitable for our changeable weather conditions, there
are many hardy bog orchids and insectivorous plants. In
addition, there are some others which are natives of Britain.
Seen growing in congenial surroundings, well-established
clumps of these plants will always command attention and
excite curiosity.
Bog orchids like peaty soil and while one or two prefer
moist but well-drained root conditions, many others thrive in
wet and boggy soil. Many of the plants have more or less
tuberous roots which need careful treatment and if, when
planting is done, some coarse silver sand is worked in with the
peat around the plants, it will encourage new roots to develop
and lessen any possibility of decay setting in. A covering of
about two inches is sufficient for the tubers, while plants with
fibrous roots should be placed just deep enough for the soil to
keep them firm.
If little pockets are made by carefully positioning suitable
pieces of rock or other stone, it will create suitable surround-
ings for the plants and also keep them separate so that their
individual beauty can be seen -an important point with this
class of plant. In addition, such stones do help in keeping
the roots cool and moist as liked by bog orchids. Certain low-
growing plants can be grown around the orchids for they do
much to keep the soil cool.
One of the reasons that these plants do not always do as well
as they might, is that attempts are made to grow them in ordi-
nary soil. For bog orchids to thrive, they really must have an
abundance of peat or leaf mould for it is in this that the necessary
root hairs develop so freely. There is no need to even attempt
to prevent all small weeds from growing, in fact their roots,
including those of the dwarfer grasses, seem to hold the peaty
soil together and certainly make it easier for lifting, since they
keep the soil in a 'ball'. This is important when one remem-
bers that hardy orchids can be, and often are, lifted when they
are in full growth -even when in flower. Bog orchids are
usually propagated by division; they do not produce seed at all
freely.
The range of hardy bog orchids is quite extensive but here
we can refer to a limited number of the best of them.
Arethusa bulbosa is a really pretty orchid, which in May and
June produces bright rosy-purple flowers on five- or six-inch
stems. It is seldom that more than one bloom appears on a
stem. Partial shade and peaty soil are liked.
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