A close up of the flower in question.
You will see that each small flower is a tiny orchid.
These wild Common Spotted Orchids are currently flourishing just over our garden wall on the Common, but they are also growing in our garden. Presumably they have travelled over the garden wall via the wind. Wild orchid seeds are very tiny, resembling a spec of dust, so they travel very easily through the air. However, when they arrive in our garden they do have a tendency to make themselves at home in my already occupied flower pots, and then grow far bigger than those seen in the wild. The plant shown has found itself a happy spot in the middle of a hydrangea cutting. Several people did recognise the leaves correctly - this created a certain amount of deception, not on my part, but on the part of the plant.
Three people gave the correct answer - I have to admit that the first one, John, didn't actually give me the name of the flower, but I gathered from his cryptic comment that he knew exactly what it was. I wasn't at all surprised, as I suspected all along that he would know.
Congratulations to all three - shown in the order that they were received.
1. John
2. Susan
3. Betty
******
I also want to mention Britta because initially she did suggested an orchid and then immediately changed her mind!
Congratulations to those who knew.
ReplyDeleteNow I know why those leaves looked familiar, certainly didn't think of orchid flowers as they were not close enough to guess, but that's the fun of it all.
Take care.
You take care too Margaret.
DeleteYes, just to confirm I did know. And if anyone doesn't believe it then have a look on my blog as I published a photo of the same orchid yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI nearly commented "Well spotted, our kid!" on the previous post, but thought I might be giving the game away.
Before I even published the post John I had already made my mind up that you would be the first one to get it right even without you saying what it was.
DeleteAfter I had left my comment I saw the orchid in John's post and thought it was the same one.
DeleteI too saw it on John's blog the following day, but I knew that he would get it as soon as I published the post. Do you think that one day I might be able to catch him out?
DeleteThe close up is gorgeous! How lucky to get such a beautiful flower in your garden :) Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteYes, they are some of the wild flowers that we are very happy to give a home to Jane.
DeleteCongratulations to the winners!
ReplyDelete🌝
DeleteHello Rosemary, This was a good quiz with an unexpected answer. I had a feeling some trick might be going on when I tried to look closely at the blossoms and they seemed out of focus or low resolution. I didn't think of two separate plants!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jin - I didn't purposefully tried to make the flowers look out of focus, it's just that each flower is very, very tiny. Even so, there was no pulling the wool over some people's eyes.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteWhat a possession they are and so beautiful!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - I love the wild orchids and welcome them when they arrive in the garden.
DeleteYay! I am always on the lookout for one but haven't seen any wild orchids for years. How lucky to have one so close to enjoy and examine - they are the most exquisite flowers.
ReplyDeleteWe currently have bee orchids flowering on the Common, but they are extremely elusive. Should I spot one then I will take a photo of it.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteSo you have yourself a Cuckoo plant...making itself at home in your flower pots and growing bigger every day.
Congratulations to the winners. This was a difficult Quiz.
Dear Gina - you are right, but unlike cuckoos taking over other birds nests, these orchids are welcome.
Delete🌝
ReplyDeleteI think the only place I actually saw wild orchids in bloom was in the Russian Far East - actually on Bering Island (the Commodore Islands) - and they were so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThis was an unexpected surprise Rosemary - your hydrangea playing host to an orchid, just lovely!
I'm struggling along and as you say, things change, why don't they (Blogger) get it right before trying to change over? It's really annoying.
Our Common plays host to 27 different varieties of wild orchid over the year. They obviously are still playing about with it Mary as several of the features that are on old blogger have not, as yet, been transferred to new blogger.
DeleteYou will get used to it in time Mary, and especially so, when they have finished sorting themselves out.
SO, so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful wild orchid.
DeleteOh lovely, Rosemary! It was a mixed answer that you got :-) - from a mixed pot :-)
ReplyDeleteYour first thoughts were correct Britta.
DeleteWhat a lovely plant to have blown in on the wind and settled in your garden. It's so intricate and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe are very happy to have them in the garden Lorrie. The exquisite Bee Orchid also grows on the Common too, but they are more elusive. I would love one to fly over the wall to us - a neighbour has a couple of them growing in her lawn, so I live in hope.
DeleteHa! A sneaky one there. I assumed it would be a plant from overseas I would never have guessed in a million years rather than something I see almost every walk outdoors at this time of year. And have photographed in close up detail for the blog several times in the past :o)
ReplyDeleteYes, this orchid has been rather sneaky - if you had been able to see its leaves then I suspect that you would have guessed it.
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