An Outdoor Orchid Garden 

Is it possible to have an outdoor orchid garden?

Most people think of orchids as house or greenhouse plants, but given the right climate they can thrive in an outdoor garden.

The right climate? That basically means a frost-free area, but orchids must also be protected from strong sun and heavy rainfall. If you live in the United States sun belt region you can try growing an outdoor orchid garden.

Use wooden slaths to protect your outdoor orchid garden from direct sunlight. This will also protect them from heavy rain.

Heaters can be used if you are expecting frost, but heaters are too expensive to be more than a temporary stop-gap for areas that rarely experience frost. If you live in a more northerly area you will have to grow orchids indoors.

Types of Orchids for an Orchid Garden

The key to a successful orchid garden is to choose orchids which do well in your particular climate. Orchids grow naturally in a variety of condtions, so you should be able to find orchids that are suitable for your climate.

For example, if you live in California's fog belt, choose orchids prefer cool and moist conditions like Masdevallias or Zygopetalums.  

Masdevallias are lovely additions to an orchid garden because of their bright colors and weird shapes. Zygopetalums are easy to grow and give a brilliant floral display along with a delicious fragrance.

Chinese Ground Orchids

A slightly hardier plant for an orchid garden is the Chinese ground orchids (Bletilla striata). These require minimal care and can be planted among low ferns or ground covers near a patio or walk.

The Chinese ground orchid is dormant in winter and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit if they are protected with a fluffy mulch. They should be planted in loose, humus-rich soil, or in pots if you live a more northerly area.

They should grow in partially-shaded areas and can be watered about once a week when in leaf. If you live in a hot climate, though, they should be misted every day or so.

The leaves of the Chinese ground orchid stay green all summer, then die back to the ground. Mark the location of the bulbs so you don't dig into them by mistake in winter.