Dactylorhiza maculata: Z 4-8 This is called the health spotted orchid because of purple dots and marking on the fleshy strap like leaves. Even the blooms are spotted pink and purple. This is native to Europe like many other Dactylorhiza.
Epipactis thunbergii: Z 4-9 This is native to northeastern Asia and Japan. This plant prefers light moist soil in shade . The orange blooms are born on two foot tall spikes.
Dactylorhiza praetermissa: Z 4-8 This is a European ground orchid that grows in wet but well drained conditions. This easy orchid produces magenta blooms clustered on tall spikes
Dendrobium moniliforme: Z 7-9 These are easy plants that can actually be kept out-doors all year as long as they are kept cold and dry. In the spring before they commense vegetative growth they produce fragrant white to light pink blooms around two to three inches. They can be wired to branches or bark with sphagnum moss. They prefer bright but not direct light. Water regularly during the summer.
Epipactis gigantea: Z 4-9 This stream orchid gets between 8-54" tall. There are 4 to 10 pleated leaves each 2-4" wide and up to 10" long. There are 10 to 20 flowers which are 1.5 to 2" across and range from greenish yellow, dark green and maroon. They are found along wet areas of deep forest to light forests.
Goodyera oblongifolia: Z 5-9 N.A. Native. This is a native clump forming orchid which is in the same group as the tropical jewel orchids. The attraction to this orchid is the white checkerboard pattern on the dark green foliage. This is where it gets common name, Rattlesnake Plantain orchid. In the wild it is mostly lithophitic, meaning that it grows on rocks. It is found growing on moss and lichen with licorice fern, sedums, fawn lilies, camas, and native grasses.
Habenaria radiata: Z 7-8 Japan. The small fleshey strap like foliage comes up in the spring but they do not bloom until late summer. The white blooms are formed together on tall spikes. There can be more than twelve blooms on one spike. The common name for this orchid is egret flower because of the bird like resemblance of the blooms. This species is found in very wet conditions in the wild. An attractive companion to carnivorous plants.
Hardy orchids for the garden
Dactylorhiza fuschii: Z 4-8 Europe. Grow in a well drained loamy compost, with leafmold, gritt and sand. Part shade. The foliage is spotted purple and the blumes have a blue-purple cast. Bloom spikes can reach more than two feet tall.
Epipactis helleborine: Z 4-9 Europe. This gets to more than two feet tall with dense spikes of blooms ranging from green to purple.
Epipactis palustris: Z 4-9 Europe. Light pink flowers on tall spikes. In the wild it growes in marsh areas. Adapts well to average garden conditions. Moist, well drained, and part sun.
Goodyera pubescens: Z 5-9 N.A.Native. This is more mitalic looking with uniform and consistant white mottling. Blooms green-white. Plant in moist shade.