One of our monster orchids is in full flower again today. Aerides odorata ‘Writhlington’ has won two CCCs (Cultural Certificates from the RHS and must be one of Europe’s largest vandaceous plants at 2.5m high and 2m across and over 50 flower spikes. The species is also wonderfully scented – Lemon sherbet we think.

The species is native to the Himalayas where we have seen it growing in open lowland forest in Arunachal Pradesh on tall trees. In cultivation it enjoys our Warm Asia section (min 17C) with water year round but more in the summer.