About
A terrestrial orchid with oval to oblong leaves forming a basal rosette and sturdy stems up to around 50cm tall bearing 10-40 flowers forming a dense pinkish to reddish-purple cylinder. Individual flowers are characterised by a 'helmet' of pink-flushed sepals, a whitish 'body' with crimson hairs and lobes forming 'arms' and 'legs'.
About the genus
Orchis are tuberous, terrestrial orchids with rosettes of light to dark green leaves, sometimes purple-spotted, and dense, upright spikes of delicate, purple, red, pink, green, yellow or white flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a moist but well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free