trefle.io · Taken May 16, 2017 by François Fabre (cc-by-sa)
Orchidaceae
Bee orchid
Ophrys apifera
Also known as Ophrys apifera var. basiliensis, × Cephalophrys integra, Ophrys apifera f. brevilabellata, Ophrys apifera var. atrofusca
Native Plants · Orchid · Bee Orchid · Ophrys · Wildflower · Terrestrial Orchid · Pollinator Mimicry · Rare · Chalk Grassland · European Native · Collector Plant
Bee orchid is a fascinating European native terrestrial orchid famed for its intricate flowers that mimic a female bee to attract pollinators. It requires well-drained, alkaline, low-nutrient soil and full sun to partial shade, and does not transplant easily — it is best grown from seed or purchased as a potted specimen and left undisturbed. Avoid fertilizing or enriching the soil, as nutrient-poor conditions are key to its survival.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water lightly to keep soil just barely moist during growth; allow to dry out almost completely when dormant · Every 7-10 days during active growth; reduce significantly when dormant
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7.5–8
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy
- Attracts
- Bees
Sources: trefle, usda
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