About
Roscoea alpina, the alpine roscoea, is a tuberous perennial to about 30 cm with broad, pointed, mid-green leaves. Lilac, purple or bicoloured, orchid-like flowers appear in summer. A beautiful and rewarding plant for a sheltered, moist, well-drained rock garden or woodland border.
About the genus
Roscoea are tuberous perennials from the Himalayas and China with arching, linear or lance-shaped leaves and showy, orchid-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, yellow or white in summer or autumn. Excellent plants for sheltered, moist, well-drained rock gardens and woodland borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
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, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toKashmir, Nepal
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. A cool, sheltered site in partial shade is ideal; in very cold areas apply a deep winter mulch. If growing from a tuber, plant 15cm deep
PruningRemove faded flowers, the rest of the plant will die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe. Propagate by division of tubers in spring when growth is starting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevils and slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free but a virus may be a problem