LA SOCIETE GUERNESIAISE is reaping the rewards of its traditional agricultural methods. Its St Peter’s fields now have four orchid species, including the loose-flowered, which does not grow in the UK.

La Societe botany secretary Bridget Ozanne believes the Rue des Vicheries and Claire Mare sites are examples of the increasingly rare meadow environment.

‘It takes the right conditions to have four types of orchids growing but we have been able to create the right meadow environment because we have treated the land in traditional ways for hundreds of years,’ said Mrs Ozanne.

‘They have not been heavily cultivated, there has been no artificial herbicides or pesticides used, hay has been taken off at the end of the summer after the plants have seeded and the fields have been grazed when possible, although we do not have enough cattle at the moment.

‘Meadows are quite rare and disappearing with more intensive agricultural methods but increasingly farmers and landowners are more aware of the value of meadows and many are trying to preserve them where they can.’

La Societe members and volunteers have been working hard to ensure success this year.

‘It has been a very good year for orchids. It is not always predictable how the orchids will grow but La Societe and many volunteers have been working hard to control hemlock water-dropwort which otherwise swamps the fields.

‘There are four different species of orchid in the fields but the loose-flowered orchid is the most important because it is in Guernsey but does not grow in England at all so people like to come and see them.’

* A guided walk will take place in the fields tomorrow as part of Floral Guernsey Week. The walk costs £2 per adult and starts at L’Eree car park at 10.30am.