A solitary orchid grows in a secluded garden; for whom does its fragrance bloom?

Orchid:like longing hidden beneath a tree,

the fallen flowers are you, and the blooming flowers are you too.

Also known as Cao Lan and Shan Lan, its flowers are richly and purely fragrant. Prized varieties include lotus, plum, narcissus and butterfly petal types in various colors. In terms of petal type, the famous varieties of Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the most typical. The leaves are slender and ribbon-shaped, generally about 20-plus cm long and about 5 mm wide, with densely clustered spherical pseudobulbs. The fleshy roots are rather slender, about 4 mm in diameter. The flowering period is in March and April, with one flower per scape, occasionally two flowers per scape. The flower color is mostly yellow-green or green, and some are green with a purplish-red tinge, with a fresh, pleasant fragrance. The leaf edges have spines on both sides, all the way to the base.

Spring Orchid

Also known as Xia Lan, with the alternate name Jiu Jie Lan. Its leaves are longer, broader and larger than those of the Spring Orchid, and the leaf surface is rough. One scape bears five or six to more than ten flowers. The flower scape is thicker and longer than that of the Spring Orchid. The leaves are 7-12 mm wide, and the scape is generally over 20 cm tall. The flowering period is in April and May. The flower color is similar to that of the Spring Orchid, but the bract sheaths have even more color than those of the Spring Orchid. The lip is more developed than that of the Spring Orchid, and the dots and patches on it are densely concentrated, mostly purplish-red. Its fragrance is even more delicate than that of the Spring Orchid, and the flowers are strongly fragrant, spreading far and lasting. The flower colors include yellow

Huilan

Commonly known as Qiu Lan, and also called Si Ji Lan by some, it is named for being produced in Fujian. Si Ji Lan is robust and upright, with green leaves and abundant flowers, strong fragrance and beautiful blooms. It fears neither heat nor cold, has strong vitality and is easy to cultivate. Different varieties have different flowering periods, and flowers can be seen from May to December. The leaf posture is mostly upright or slanting-upright, with individual varieties slightly drooping in a half-arch shape. The leaves are about 1 cm wide and 40-60 cm long, forming a sword shape. The flowering period is in midsummer and golden autumn. The flower stalk and petals are mostly pale yellow, and the lip has dark purplish-red dots and patches. The flowers are delicately fragrant. The upper part of the leaf has spines, there is no reed head, and the leaves are mostly broad and upright. The base of Jian Lan leaves is relatively thick.

Jian Lan

Commonly known as Bao Sui Lan, because it is produced in southern China and its flowering period is around the Spring Festival, hence the name Bao Sui. The leaves are about 3-4 cm wide and over 60 cm long. The leaf surface is glossy, and the leaf posture is overwhelmingly upright, with individual varieties slightly drooping in an arch shape. The flowers are fragrant and the colors beautiful, and the leaf shape is unique. The flower colors are mostly purplish-red or light brown, and the floral fragrance is sandalwood-like. Among them, the famous variety Chun Jian is often called authentic Sichuan orchid. Although Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan all have famous varieties, the famous Sichuan orchid varieties are the most precious. The flower colors include red, yellow, white, green, purple, black and compound colors, dazzlingly gorgeous, with a slender and graceful appearance, elegant charm, strong fragrance and pure scent, and are often the first choice praised by orchid growers.

Mo Lan

The leaf veins are relatively thick, and the leaf surface is dark and rough. The leaves are generally about 60 cm long and about 1.5 cm wide. The flower scape is about 30-60 cm tall, bearing 5-10-plus flowers, blooming in early winter. The petals are narrow like chicken claws, with a delicate fragrance. Han Lan basically has no spines and has a reed head. Han Lan leaves are fewer, narrower and curved, and the base of Han Lan leaves is relatively slender.

Han Lan