Not quite sure where to post this but this seemed as good a place as any..
Having come to gardening through a love of wild flowers encouraged by my mother's interest I am always happy to encourage and include suitable subjects in my garden. On coming to live in Italy I was amazed at the many different orchids that grow in our area and have been delighted when the occasional one has honoured me by appearing in the garden. Several years ago I spotted a single Orchis purpurea growing under a large Bay laurel but in subsequent years it did not re- appear. This spring however I am delighted to report that there are six plants growing in the same area that has been left undistrurbed.
Careful maintenance of the field where we planted an Olive grove, cutting the grass only at suitable times for encouraging the spread of wild flowers, has also rewarded me with my first orchid in this area - this time what I believe to be a Green Winged Orchid. Am having trouble with posting 'photos at the moment ( thought I had mastered it having successfully posted one from my iPad but apparently not!) but will persevere and hope to post a 'photo of the Orchis purpurea when they come into flower.