Essex Wildlife Trust will exhibit wild orchids at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing the county's floral treasures.

In collaboration with experts from institutions including the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, and the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the Trust seeks to raise awareness of the importance of conserving orchid populations.

The Trust manages numerous nature reserves, home to 12 varieties of wild orchids.

These include the orchids on display at Chelsea Flower Show and other unique species, such as the bird’s nest orchid, bee orchid and the greater butterfly orchid.  

Zoe Ringwood, head of conservation evidence for Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "Essex Wildlife Trust are delighted to be promoting the conservation of our native orchids at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. 

"The work the Trust does to manage and monitor our orchid populations is an important part of orchid conservation in England.

"We hope that through this display, the public will recognise that wildflowers on their doorstep can be just as rare and special as those in exotic locations across the globe."

The exhibit, titled 'Orchids in the Wild – The Beauty of Nature', will feature four orchid species endemic to the reserves.

Essex Wildlife Trust will be at Chelsea Flower Show from Monday, May 20 to Saturday, May 25.