(9-11 sun/part shade)   60x90cm

Spiranthes cernua odorata 'Chadds Ford', a native American orchid, was discovered just as its habitat was about to be destroyed. Dick Ryan found the plant back in the 1960's in a wet ditch near his hometown of Bear, Delaware and in 1973 the orchid received the coveted Certificate of Cultural Merit from the American Orchid Society when Dr Brubaker, from Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania exhibited his named division.

There are usually three to six glossy, dark green leaves up to 8 inches long on the lower part of the stem and during late summer 30cm (18-inch) spikes of waxy white orchid flowers, tinged with green and scented vanilla appear, persisting until November. It is easy to grow and forms colonies quickly. Prefers a rich, moisture-retentive soil, in sun or shade, the wetter the better! Given these conditions the plant, which is stoloniferous, multiplies quickly and is highly recommended, even for the novice gardener, as a first foray into orchid growing.