60 
Edward Gillette Southwick , Mass.—Hardy Orchids 
Hardy Orchids 
The Orchids of New England, for the most part, are shade-loving plants, and delight 
in a soil well drained and largely composed of leaf-mold. While the common border plants 
are not particular as to soil they like the open sun and are exposed to the drying winds; 
but these little Orchids require altogether a different treatment, both in soil and position. 
We find them in the wild, usually in a soil composed largely of leaf-mold; the trees and 
rocks, the unevenness of the ground, low shrubs and ferns, all help to keep the air 
and soil cool and moist, and with but little circulation of the air. We add some 
bog-moss to the leaf-mold in making the bed for the smaller Orchids, raising the bed 
several inches to insure good drainage. Here Aplectrum, Goodyeras. Liparis, Orchis 
spectahilis , Habenaria bracteata, H. Hookeri and Cypripedium acaule will thrive. A few 
of our native Orchids are really bog plants and desire more moisture, like Arethusa, 
Calopogon, Habenaria blephariglottis, H. dilatata , H. hyperborea, Cypripedium spectabile 
and Pogonia ophioglossoides. Select a wet place where the surface is constantly 
saturated with water, building up a bed a little, and on top cover with moss 4 to 6 inches 
deep. Plant these Orchids in clean sphagnum. In this way we have had excellent 
success in growing them in shade. 
APLECTRUM hyemale (Puttyroot). This plant sends up from a bulbous root late 
in summer a pointed green leaf, 2 to 6 inches long, which lasts through the winter, and 
in spring a stalk about a foot high bearing a raceme of large, greenish brown flowers. 
Rich, moist, shady places. 20 cts. 
Cypripedium acaule (see paj?e 61) 
See also colored print on back cover 
