Double H Nurseries

Sunny Smell fragrant moth orchid grown by Double H

The sweet scent – yes scent – of orchids!

/ , , , , , /

Fragrant ‘moth orchids’ new houseplant trend for 2018

Great news for orchid lovers. 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.

New Life scented moth orchid

New Life scented moth orchid

Until recently, Phalaenopsis orchids – pronounced Fal-en-op-sis and 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!

Sunny Smell fragrant moth orchid grown by Double H

Sunny Smell fragrant moth orchid grown by Double H

Working closely with specialist breeders in Europe, Double H has helped develop these three scented varieties to appeal to those who love perfume for their home as well as dramatic and colourful flowers. Boasting their own individual, delicate fragrance, which is at its sweetest in the morning, the scented moth orchids require the same easy care as their non-scented cousins and flower for a similar time-span:

Diffusion – has beautifully 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.”

Diffusion scented moth orchid

Diffusion scented moth orchid

For more information on orchids plus growing tips and tricks visit www.LoveOrchids.co.uk.  Double H is teaming up with floral designer Jonathan Moseley to showcase its British-grown orchids for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show (6-10 June). Over 100 varieties will be on show in one of the largest displays of its kind.

ENDS

For further press information contact Emma Mason at emma@emmamasonpr.co.uk 07762 117433

Notes for editors: * Scented orchids will be available in M&S, Waitrose, and Tesco. Prices will vary. ** The RHS AGM helps plant lovers make informed decisions when selecting plants to purchase. It is awarded to plants that are excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions; available; of good constitution; essentially stable in form and colour; and reasonably resistant to pests and diseases.

Double H Nurseries – Family-owned Double H Nurseries was established in 1961 and supplies over 4.5 million indoor plants to UK retailers including orchids, roses, poinsettias and chrysanthemums. It is the largest British grower of orchids. It supports the Love Orchids website which gives hints and tips on growing these fabulous blooms.

Orchid display in the Great Conservatory at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show - credit Ula Maria

Largest ever display of Britain’s favourite to wow at RHS Chatsworth

/ , , , , /

Is the nation being gripped again by a passion for orchids like their Victorian counterparts?

They are Britain’s favourite indoor plant with millions being sold every year. Victorians were obsessed with these beautiful blooms too and in a nod to their so-called ‘orchidelirium’, over 5,000 British-grown moth orchids will take centre stage at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show this summer in the largest display of its kind.

Jonathan Moseley at RHS Chatsworth with Double H orchids

Jonathan Moseley at RHS Chatsworth with Double H orchids

Orchids of every description will fill a 21st century version of Chatsworth’s Great Conservatory, originally built by celebrated head gardener Joseph Paxton in the Victorian era, at the show (6-10 June). In this immersive floral extravaganza, large contemporary chandeliers will be suspended over the space dripping with vibrant orchids, mosses and tropical bromeliads. The exotic orchid blooms, in a sumptuous palette of lilacs, purple, pale and cerise pink through to exquisite whites, will also adorn a central waterfall, as well as showcase plinths around the exhibit.

Hampshire orchid grower Double H Nurseries is teaming up with celebrated floral designer Jonathan Moseley for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) exhibit and will be supplying over 100 varieties of the popular Phalaenopsis orchid (pronounced Fal-en-op-sis), also known as moth orchid.

During Paxton’s stint as head gardener, the Chatsworth Estate boasted one of the most extensive orchid collections in the UK, at a time when the country’s fascination with these beautiful plants reached a peak. The trend then was most definitely one for the wealthy with orchids often changing hands for thousands of pounds.

The popularity of orchids has again surged in recent years, thanks to their large, long-lasting flowers, easy care and ability to bloom in any season – and unlike the 19th century they are much more affordable. Double H Nurseries alone supplies over two million orchids a year to major retailers. And orchids’ on-trend status is set to continue with newer scented Phalaenopsis varieties also now becoming available.

Jonathan Moseley said: “Visitors to this year’s RHS Chatsworth will have an opportunity to surround themselves in one of the most exuberant orchid displays ever seen in the UK. There will be lots of colour and texture in this magical landscape that we will be creating. It really will be a touch of orchid heaven at Chatsworth.”

Twenty florists from across the country will be helping Jonathan build the display including apprentices from the floristry college in Sheffield. During the show he will also be leading floristry workshops and demonstrations for visitors.

A Virtual Reality experience, created by 3D expert and VR designer Simon Mabey alongside Manchester Museum and Manchester University, will immerse visitors further in the tropical RHS Chatsworth display as they ‘sit’ suspended amongst the flowers, experiencing the wonder of different orchids through the eyes of an insect.

For more information on orchids, plus growing tips and tricks visit www.LoveOrchids.co.uk.

  • Scented moth orchids from Double H Nurseries will be amongst the beautiful flowers featured on Jonathan Moseley’s British Flower Bus which will be stopping at RHS Chatsworth 6 – 10 June; BBC Gardeners World Live 14 – 17 June; RHS Harlow Carr 22-24 June; RHS Hampton Court 2 – 8 July; RHS Tatton 18 -22 July; RHS Hyde Hall 1 – 5 August; RHS Rosemoor 17 – 19 August and RHS  Wisley 4-9 September.

ENDS

For further press information contact Emma Mason at emma@emmamasonpr.co.uk 07762 117433

For more information on RHS Chatsworth, please contact Hattie Sherwood in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3044 and hattiesherwood@rhs.org.uk

Illustration – UK’s Largest Display of Phalaenopsis Orchids at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, 6-10 June 2018.  Credit Ula Maria

Notes for editors: Double H Nurseries was established in 1961 and supplies over 4.5 million indoor plants to UK retailers including orchids, roses, poinsettias and chrysanthemums. It supports the Love Orchids website which gives hints and tips on growing these fabulous blooms.