One of our small fields had half a dozen small orchids appear when we first moved in, lurking in one corner and escaping the silagers. I decided to stick to my main conservation mantra which is to do mostly nothing and left them to it, the grass hasn't been cut in 10 years and the hedge has spread into the field. They are now coming into flower again and they've increased to about 50 now, some getting rather tall. I've attached a poor photo of one of them, I think it's and early purple orchid and I'll try and get some better pics later.
The question I have is do I just leave them to it? The hedge that has grown out is blackthorn and it is offering protection to them but I wonder if it will eventually smother them. Should I at least thin it out?
The question I have is do I just leave them to it? The hedge that has grown out is blackthorn and it is offering protection to them but I wonder if it will eventually smother them. Should I at least thin it out?
