About
A deciduous, terrestrial orchid from Southeast Asia with pleated, strap-shaped leaves and erect racemes of small, star-shaped, pale green-white flowers with a distinctive, heart-shaped (cardioglossa) lip in winter. A charming cool-to-intermediate-growing orchid requiring a dry winter rest.
About the genus
Lamium can be annuals or, more usually, perennials, with coarsely toothed ovate leaves and 2-lipped, tubular flowers borne in whorls forming a short spike
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Native toEurope, W Asia
Care notes
CultivationIn the wild it grows along hedgerows, in grassy banks or in woodland and coppice, so is best suited as groundcover in a wild or woodland garden situation. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well
PruningCut back at the end of the season or to tidy up straggly plants
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free