Lady's Slipper Orchid

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I was down in lancashire over the weekend. Specifically to give swmbo a chance to see the Ladys Slipper Orchids. We were fortunate - despite the odd weather they were putting on a magnificent display.

A bit of history here. The single example was planted by Victorian plant lovers on a Lancashire golf course, and its flourished ever since despite attempts to steal it / dig it up etc. This one is believed to be from European plant stock.

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Now these have been micro propagated by Kew Gardens and replanted on former sites - these are just a couple of miles from the first one. The source plant is reported to be the solitary wild plant left high up a hill in the Yorkshire Dales - the location of the wild plant is a carefully guarded secret, and access will never be allowed..

These particular ones are on a public access site and as you can see have done well this year

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Now whilst its a pretty open secret where both these sites are, Im not going to give the exact location as you never know who might be reading this. All I will say on the open forum is that the sites are guarded, and are both public access.

Anyone who wants directions for a future visit can contact me via pm.

[rolf]

A super find Ross, I'm envious.

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They are absolutely stunning Rolf, and about the second or third rarest wild plant in the UK.

[Catherine]

How wonderful, Ross!
I would love to see one of these growing in the wild some day.
Really good photos, and by the looks of things captured at the right time.
Thanks for sharing!

[ladylouise62]

Nice spot - but don't they look so very 'un-British' - miles too exotic