This weekend I revisited a woodland plantation that I’d planted 19 years ago. I was delighted to discover a coterie of common spotted orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). The sweet chestnut trees that I’d planted had been coppiced, as originally planned, and were accompanied by ‘volunteer’ silver birch. The light shading canopy was obviously favouring ground flora including these beautiful orchids.
Gabriel Hemery
