Samphire Hoe, the early spider orchid and this tasty seaside vegetable

This is an exceptional, diminuitive rare orchid, which when found is often kept secret, so that it is safe from botanical bounty hunters. But, when kept safe, and in the conditions that it likes (where the sea meets the land, where sand becomes mixed with soil, and where moss may have begun to take hold, but grass is still grappling to find its feet), it is at its happiest. It has an acid green/yellow colour, with a firm stalk, and a dark chocolate brown velvety body from where it takes its name. 

 This is so at Samphire Hoe where plants numbers have multipled from 67 found in 1998 up to the 11,500 counted earlier in 2012.  Samphire Hoe was created by Eurotunnel reusing the chalk marl taken during the the building of the Channel Tunnel. It is a beautiful strip of land, running alongside the Dover Cliffs, and located between Folkestone and Dover. It is home to wildlife, migrating and native birds, and loads of wildflowers. You reach it by turning off from the M20, travelling through a dark, chalk tunnel to emerge into a white seabright landscape beyond. It's worth a visit just to do this.

Why is it called Samphire Hoe? It was named through a public competition, and refers to Rock Samphire which used to be collected from the neighboring cliffs, and Hoe which refers to the spit of land that sticks out into the sea. Of course, it is illegal to transplant any wildflower or plant, so collecting from the cliffs would be taboo. But, you can still see Samphire at the Hoe, adjacent to the cafe and successfully planted at the top edge of the seawall.

If, like us you fancy trying to cultivate Samphire, we have found Victoriana Nursery which supplies small plants replete with full instructions on how to care for this maritime vegetable. The fun thing is that you have to water it with salt laden water (30g to l litre) and can try sea water, which I am keen to do. Most of the fishmongers around the coast sell this maritime delicacy, although the main type sold tends to be marsh samphire that grows in the salt marshes. If you can't get to the Hoe, and don't fancy giving growing it a go, do try and taste, it's crunchy taste  won't disappoint.