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Bee Orchid

Orchids

Orchids at Durlston

There are 9 species of orchid to be found during the year, visit between April and September and you can discover some of these fascinating and varied flowers. Please pop into our Visitor Centre at the Castle (open daily from 10am) and ask a ranger for directions to see them. 

Early Spider, Early Purple, Green Winged, Common Spotted, Southern Marsh, Bee, Pyramidal, Twayblade and Autumn Lady's Tresses.

When to see them

Our first few species of Orchids appear in April and remain in bloom until May.

  • Early Spider Orchid: Green spikes with brown flowers which are said to mimic a spider in order to attract insects for pollination. It is a nationally rare, but locally abundant species here in Purbeck, and can be found on short turf all along the ridge between the Lighthouse and Dancing Ledge. Varies between 2-6" in height.
  • Early Purple Orchid: Beautiful cone shaped spikes of upto 50 small purple flowers. These appear all across the Meadows and Downs and easy to spot. Taller than the Green-winged Orchid, usually around 6-10" high. 
  • Green-Winged Orchid: A purple-flowered Orchid, which is slightly confusingly named for the green veins which run through the petals of each flower. These are much fewer in number than the Early Spider and Early Purple and found along the coastal slopes westward of the Lighthouse. Usually just a few inches in height. 

Green Veined Orchid

Orchid Surveys

Each year volunteers count the orchids at Durlston as part of the long-term monitoring of this site.  Annual Results