About
This tuberous perennial orchid to around 40cm high, with slender, upright stems bearing 3-7 linear, grass-like green leaves to 10cm long. Each stem produces 1-3 flowers, rarely up to 8, in summer. Flowers are white and distinctively shaped, with a lower petal divided into a central elongated lobe and two fringed outer lobes, often described as shaped like a bird in flight.
About the genus
Pecteilis is a genus of plants encompassing species that may be herbaceous, shrubby, or woody. They are grown for their ornamental flowers, foliage, or fruit, and vary in hardiness and cultural requirements
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesBorders, containers, mixed plantings.
Native toS Russian Far East to Korea & Japan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a free-draining orchid mix in a sunny position; water freely when in growth (ideally with rainwater) and sparingly over winter, misting rather than watering to keep just moist. Keep cool but frost free while dormant (1-10°C). Tubers will die after flowering but offsets are produced which will form the next year's plants; repot in spring, discarding any depleted tubers. See indoor orchid cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required; spent stems may be cut back or left to dry naturally
PropagationPropagate by division, separating new bulbs in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to fungus gnats, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, though tubers will rot if too moist over winter