Ophrys apifera
Bee orchid, Bee flower, Arachnites apifera
Ophrys Ophrys
O. apifera - O. apifera is a tuberous, deciduous, terrestrial orchid with ovate to oblong, mid-green leaves and, from mid-spring into summer, erect racemes of green or purple flowers with lower lips marked yellow and brown. Leaves die back in summer after flowering and emerge again in autumn, slowly growing throughout winter.
Ophrys apifera is: Deciduous
Erect flower stem, Rosette
Purple in Spring; Purple in Summer
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn; Mid-green in Winter
Deadhead faded flowers spikes. Resents transplanting. Avoid fertilisers and fungicides as these can destroy the symbiotic relationship between the orchid and a soil-dwelling fungus that allows the orchid to absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil.
Separate offsets in autumn.
Division
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Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.15m after 2-5 years.
Rock, Greenhouse, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildflower, Woodland
Plant dormant tubers in autumn, 5cm deep in humus-rich, gritty, sharply-drained, alkaline soil in part shade. Protect with a thick, dry winter mulch in frost-prone areas. Water moderately in growth, keep dry & frost-free when dormant.
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Well-drained
Alkaline, Neutral
Partial Shade, Full Sun
South, East, West
Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Ophrys apifera
Bee orchid, Bee flower, Arachnites apifera
Ophrys Ophrys
O. apifera - O. apifera is a tuberous, deciduous, terrestrial orchid with ovate to oblong, mid-green leaves and, from mid-spring into summer, erect racemes of green or purple flowers with lower lips marked yellow and brown. Leaves die back in summer after flowering and emerge again in autumn, slowly growing throughout winter.
Deciduous
Erect flower stem, Rosette
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Purple in Spring; Purple in Summer
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn; Mid-green in Winter
Deadhead faded flowers spikes. Resents transplanting. Avoid fertilisers and fungicides as these can destroy the symbiotic relationship between the orchid and a soil-dwelling fungus that allows the orchid to absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil.
Separate offsets in autumn.
Division
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Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.15m after 2-5 years.
Rock, Greenhouse, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildflower, Woodland
Plant dormant tubers in autumn, 5cm deep in humus-rich, gritty, sharply-drained, alkaline soil in part shade. Protect with a thick, dry winter mulch in frost-prone areas. Water moderately in growth, keep dry & frost-free when dormant.
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Well-drained
Alkaline, Neutral
Partial Shade, Full Sun
South, East, West
Sheltered
Hardy (H4)
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid)
Orchidophilus spp.
Insect
Absent
3
4
A pest of orchids spreading in trade. Currently absent from the UK and unlikely to establish outdoors. Could cause severe damage to hosts growing in protected cultivation.
Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid)
common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips
Frankliniella schultzei
Insect
Absent
2
3
Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.
Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid)
Rice leaf nematode; Strawberry crimp disease nematode; White tip nematode; White tip nematode of rice
Aphelenchoides besseyi
Nematode
Absent
2
3
Damaging nematode affecting rice crops and strawberry production in warmer climates; could potentially present a threat to strawberry production and ornamental production in protected environments. But modern production practices seem to reduce likelihood of impacts. Pest is also regulated at EU level; which reduces likelihood of entry.
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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This plant likes... | Garden match | |
Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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