Can You Feel The Love Tonight...

In Europe the orchid was the main ingredient of the love potion and throughout the world they are still seen as symbols of beauty, royalty, luxury and love through many different cultures.

So does my love of Hogganfield Park just stem (pun not intended!) from the fact I'm under a spell? Certainly not...

However, on my last visit to Hogganfield (admittedly this was a while ago) it was lovely to see orchids all over the place. I am no flower expert and I'm in no hurry to be one either, but that doesn't mean I can't admire their beauty. So on this visit I was pleasantly surprised to find three different types of orchid.

Here are the photos of two - the first I believe to be some sort of Marsh Orchid and the second a Common Spotted Orchid. If you know better please let me know, considering my rushed photography I would be surprised if anyone could help though. The first one had a bit of discussion about it possibly being an Early Purple Orchid, however the placement of them next to the reeds along the loch's edge suggested the marshiness(!) of it. I could be wrong.

The third variety - unphotographable at distance with my phone camera - was definitely a Pyramidal Orchid. Which was easily identified using binoculars.

Flower spotting had not been my main objective that morning, and overall my records of flowers are pretty sparse. However I hope to go back soon with a proper camera, pick up some more detail and find out what other flora is hiding within Hogganfield Park.

Can someone remind me to do that....