Epidendrum x obrienianum [purple-flowered]

Here’s an orchid I would recommend to anyone who’s ever made the claim they can’t grow orchids & a plant anyone keen on the tropical look with a coastal garden should know about. Our propagator Anni Jensen has had hers in large pots for about nine years & reports they are almost always in bloom. So carefree, you can plant this lovely creature in a raised shady garden bed or directly into the ground if your soil is pretty free draining & watered fairly regularly. “Reed Orchids” can even handle very light frosts, although a hard freeze will kill them. The flowers are held in sprays of around ten fuchsia flowers with a bit of yellow & look like tiny Cattleyas. This is also a wonderful plant for sharing, as they create little “pups” or “keikis” that form aerial roots at the top of the long stems after the stalk blooms. Grows 3-4’ tall & looks tidier if you prune back old stalks after bloom. Good houseplant, too!