There's a simple reason you won't find a lot of great photos of outdoor grown landscape Cymbidiums in northern California gardens. They need the conditions to allow them to thrive, as well as drier winter conditions and protection from mollusks to preserve the flowers. Best displays will be when grown as container plants and spotted into the garden, or on a porch where they are protected from the rains. I've had them last for up to 6 months in perfect condition on a north facing covered porch as containers. The same Cymbidiums out in the garden only last about 6 weeks for me.

I think it is easier with orchids such as Bletilla striata, which is dead easy and can give massive displays with age/bigger clumps. I also do well with Epidendrum hybrids and species, as long as they get some protection from the worst of the winter rains as well. But I have seen brilliant displays of Epidendrums in nearby Alameda, planted out in very well drained sandy loam and full sun, and they can remain in bloom all winter.

Orchids in the landscape require more pampering to pull off, in my opinion. Regular fertilizing, regular baiting for snails, regular repotting as the orchid potting medium breaks down. Mounted orchids on cork may be easier to care for, and give a good show in the garden, but they also have their special needs. I'd consider joining your local orchid society if you want to pursue this.

To sum up, I typically only use them in landscapes where I can give them what they want, and more as accents than all over the garden. I find I can get just as much color from bromeliads with so much less work, that I get spoiled. If you do want to try some species Epidendrum orchids, I can highly recommend E. porphyreum, E. capricornu and E. embreii. I've got nice photos of each on my Flickr album. I don't have enough sun or good enough drainage to plant Cymbidiums in the ground and expect them to do well, but I have seen it done well, such as the old Harland Hand Garden up in El Cerrito, where Harland would plant Cymbidiums in Supersoil in and amongst boulders below sheltering Live Oaks, in areas that would get at least 6 hours of dappled sun, and were clear of other plants that would harbor mollusks. I think it also worked because the evergreen canopy would tend to lessen the rain fall hitting them, so they lasted longer.

Bahia, thanks for your informative post.

My original plan was to create an array of cymbidiums by a north facing fence wall to create sort of a focal point in the small portion of my yard. If it worked, then no doubt it'd steal the show!!

I think I will take your advice -- and try to think of some container arrangements where I can leave them in summer and in winter, perhaps move them to a more protected location under the eaves etc.

I chose Cymbidiums because they are really inexpensive -- saw tons in Costco around the Valentines Day -- and all in pretty colors too. But I will look for other species you mentioned as well.

Thanks again!

I continue to be surprised at how forgiving Cymbidiums are here in the north bay where we do get more rain and frost than the bay as a whole. I have them for years in the same soil(home made fir bark)potted in the garden and ignored. If I am walking by with a watering can of fertilizer I will give them a little, but they seem to do as well with or without. Al

Here, Epidendrums are far better, rather more like cactus in their level of care required (near zero), plus twelve months of bloom, truly non-stop.

I don't have a picture, but if you have a wet, boggy area, an orchid by the name of Spiranthes (Ladie's Tresses) grows quite well by my pond. You'll have to order them on-line as I haven't found them available locally. Not as showy as many orchids, but they do make a nice display in late summer.
I also have tons of cymbidiums, but like everyone else, they are potted and under the cover of a patio. Dendrobium kingianum is another good, cool growing orchid with tiny purple or white flowers that grows well outdoors. I keep mine in hanging pots.

Here is a link that might be useful: Spiranthes

It's all about sluggo & handpicking, cymbidiums are like chocolate to snails & slugs, apparently. But I prefer orchids in containers, raised beds or indoors -- they just aren't great in-the-ground plants, imo. Daylilies share their same sword-shaped leaves and long stems, although cyms are admittedly much showier, but daylilies are soooo much easier in the ground.

Man, did I ever make some good cash in Tiburon/Belvedere the one year I pimped myself for cymbidium replanting. Hand torch, hand axe and a mountain of various barks gained me temporary access to the land of the uber-rich's fields of cymbidiums. Those roots are strong!

Thank you all. While on this topic, all of you who have lots of cymbidiums: what's your typical time of bloom? I know that around Valentine's day cymbidiums were selling for dirt cheap prices -- making me wonder if February is the season - but it's too cold then, and my cymbidiums only had unopened spikes! So it looked like they were forced to flower during the peak sale time.

I have two that have spikes growing for almost 3 months now (since I noticed) -- and it looks like they will open soon, but the wait is killing me!

(This is my second year of having them (first year they came with blooms already) -- so please forgive me for asking dumb questions).

I have the specimen pot bahia is talking about, but it ain't no daylily. This plant is viewed from the couch of total indulgence in the living room where I sit, eat chocolate and watch TV. Oh wait, that's my husband in there. I am the one working outside in the rain!
These blooms have been developing for a while now. It's the first year it has bloomed. They like to be crowded to bloom and I wanted this big tall pot. It lives under Japanese maples on the southeast corner of the house, Sacramento area. It is on drip and this garden gets a 'fog' watering during the summer, high misters.
Love this post and am looking at suggested plants.
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I think it is easier with orchids such as Bletilla striata, which is dead easy and can give massive displays with age/bigger clumps

In coastal SoCal, they've grown well for me and have spread. Unlike cymbidiums and epidendrum, bletilla is low growing in my garden.

Peggy I have never seen such floppy long leaves on a cymbidium, and wonder if the shady protected location or perhaps the fertilization program is responsible. The flowers are beautiful but again I am used to the stems being more upright. Al

The pot shape and shade may determine it's pose. It gets time release fertilizer twice a year. If you notice the pot flairs. The plant is crowed into one corner and pushes out new growth at an angle dictated by the pot shape. It is not stakes. I have no other reference as to what a cymbidium should look like. I only see the poor single plants bound to a stake at the store. It's a nice size plant in a southeast corner behind 2 Japanese maples. I am thrilled it has decided to lean over and look in my window.

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PS Your redwood gh is a great project. Did your propagation in gritty mix work out?

Peggy I would like to get back to you without hijacking from the OP, but your member page does not allow me to email you. My page does, so please email me. Al