About
Ophrys apifera, the bee orchid, is a terrestrial orchid with a rosette of oblong leaves and flower spikes to 30 cm in mid-spring to early summer, bearing up to 11 blooms to 2.5 cm across, each with pale-green or pink petals and a brown, velvety, bee-mimicking lip with yellow markings. A beautiful and fascinating native orchid for a chalk or limestone grassland or sunny, well-drained lawn.
About the genus
Ophrys are tuberous terrestrial orchids with rosettes of leaves and upright spikes of two to twelve flowers, the lower lip often beautifully patterned to resemble a foraging bee, wasp or fly. Native to grassland and scrub habitats in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope, Asia, Africa
Care notes
CultivationBest in well-drained, gritty, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline soil in partial shade. Plant dormant tubers in autumn, at least 5cm deep. Can be naturalised in fine turf
PruningDeadhead as flowers fade
PropagationPropagate by separating offsets in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free