Essex Wildlife Trust has joined forces with international orchid experts to form a renowned orchid conservation team at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.  

The Trust is collaborating with Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Elite Orchids from the United Kingdom, alongside renowned international partners.  

One important goal of Orchid Conservation Chelsea is to feature species native to Commonwealth countries like India and Canada, bringing together specialists, horticulturists, and the public. The intent is to raise global awareness for conservation projects aimed at supporting habitat protection and scientific research. 

Since the 1930s, 97% of wildflower meadows has been lost. They are now one of the rarest habitats in the UK. This is of great concern for orchid conservation and all the wildlife these meadows support, including vital pollinators. Orchids are considered a ‘canary in the coal mine’ for extinction, as they are sensitive to environmental changes. Their disappearance from an area is often indicative of poor ecosystem health.  

Four wild orchid species that grow on the Trust’s nature reserves (common spotted, green-winged, man and pyramidal) will be part of the display ‘Orchids in the Wild – The Beauty of Nature’ to showcase the county’s native orchids and the Trust’s important conservation work.  

Essex Wildlife Trust will be raising awareness of wild orchids and highlight their abundance in Essex, thanks to the careful management of the charity’s nature reserves. Neighbouring London, the Trust manages nationally important nature reserves where wild orchids appear in their thousands.   

The Trust reports that across their nature reserves, 12 different wild orchid species bloom. These include the orchids on display at Chelsea Flower Show and other unique species, such as bird’s nest orchid, bee orchid and greater butterfly orchid.  

Wild orchids are best seen from May – August. Flagship sites for orchid populations in Essex include Langdon Nature Discovery Park in Basildon and Chafford Gorges Nature Discover Park in Thurrock.  

Essex Wildlife Trust will be at Chelsea Flower Show from 20 May to 25 May.  

Zoe Ringwood, Head of Conservation Evidence for Essex Wildlife Trust, says:  

“Essex Wildlife Trust are delighted to be promoting the conservation of our native orchids at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.  The work the Trust does to manage and monitor our orchid populations is an important part of orchid conservation in England, as too is our engagement with the public about these fascinating and magnificent plants. We hope that through this display, the public will recognise that wildflowers on their doorstep can be just as rare and special as those in exotic locations across the globe.” 

Ruth Angrave, Nature Reserves Manager (South) for Essex Wildlife Trust, says:  

“To ensure our native wild orchids continue to flourish, their sensitive habitats need careful management and protection. At Essex Wildlife Trust, our dedicated team of reserve managers, rangers and volunteers use their knowledge and expertise to conduct evidence-based management that promotes the conservation of these precious plants. Orchids can easily be damaged through trampling and whilst we encourage the public to visit our reserves to enjoy their spectacle, we ask that they are viewed at a distance from the designated paths."