About
A terrestrial orchid with a rosette of oblong dark green leaves and flower spikes up to 35cm. The species is very common in Portugal and the Algarve where it thrives in coastal areas with sandy soils containing crushed shells, and on waste ground and abandoned farmland. It has a three-lobed brownish velvety lip, resembling a bee. Flowers may appear from February to April and are a mixture of oval, green sepals and triangle-shaped petals flushed with bronze.
About the genus
Ophrys are tuberous terrestrial orchids producing a basal rosette of leaves and upright flowering stems with small leaves and spikes of two to 12 flowers, the lower lip often resembling a foraging insect
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 toMediterranean
Care notes
CultivationBest in well-drained, sandy or 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. V
PruningDeadhead as flowers fade
PropagationPropagate by separating offsets in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free