About
A grex of the Dendrobium nobile alliance, bearing arching racemes of large, well-formed flowers in rich pink-purple tones with a contrasting lip in spring from mature cane-like pseudobulbs. A rewarding cool-to-intermediate-growing orchid for a bright glasshouse.
About the genus
Petasites are perennial plants, usually large, with thick rhizomes or stems. Leaves are often very large and either heart-shaped or kidney-shaded. Scapes or stems many-headed, with any leaves usually reduced to scales. Flowers dioecious in usually rayless heads, purple or white, rarely yellowish, borne in panicles or racemes at the ends of the scapes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Not invasive
PruningRemove the old foliage before the onset of new growth in late winter
PropagationDivide in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free