The most popular indoor plant in the UK is set to become even more of a ‘must have’ as three varieties of delicately scented moth orchid hit the high street for the first time.
Until recently, Phalaenopsis orchids - commonly known as moth orchids – have been unscented with the emphasis on their large eye-catching blooms and their ability to flower for up to three months at any time of the year. Millions are sold annually across the UK making them more popular than any other house plant.
Now, thanks to British orchid experts Double H Nurseries, beauty is being combined with fragrance, as the varieties Diffusion, New Life and Sunny Smell make their way into major retailers. To hunt them down, shoppers can look for ‘scented orchid’ stickers on the retailer own-brand plant packaging – or have a sniff.
- Diffusion – has rich pink/purple coloured petals. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). New for 2018.
- New Life – white petals tinged with a delicate shade of pink, and yellow ‘lip’. Also awarded the RHS AGM. New for 2018.
- Sunny Smell - boasts a profusion of petals in a cheerful yellow shade with touches of dark pink. Was shortlisted for RHS Plant of the Year when it was first unveiled at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. Has been available in limited supplies since but this year will be more widely available.
Mark Riley from Double H said: “As the largest grower of orchids in the country, we know these beautiful plants are much loved, so after years of development we’re excited to be launching these new varieties into shops. They look stunning, have similar floral staying power as traditional moth orchids, but also have a wonderfully sweet and delicate scent. Orchid fans will love them.”