About
A hardy, native orchid producing a rosette of mid-green, rarely spotted, narrowly oblong leaves and, in early summer, strong, upright, leafy stems topped with dense spikes of small, purple flowers with fine, dark speckles.
About the genus
Dactylorhiza are deciduous tuberous perennials with lance-shaped leaves sometimes spotted with purple, and dense terminal racemes of purple, pink or white flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Rock garden
Native toW Europe
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, slightly acid to alkaline soil. Will naturalise in grass
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free