About
Roscoea australis, the southern roscoea, is a compact, deciduous perennial 10�20 cm tall with lance-shaped leaves and slightly hooded, orchid-like, mid- to dark-purple flowers approximately 3.5 cm wide in early to late summer. A charming and rewarding tuberous perennial 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
AspectNorth-facing, West-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, Rock garden
Native toWC Myanmar
Care notes
CultivationPlant tubers 15cm deep in winter or early spring. Grow on in moderately fertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained soil, in a cool, sheltered site in partial shade
PruningDeadhead after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed by sowing in a cold frame as soon as the seeds are ripe. Divide plants in spring
Pest resistanceSlugs and vine weevils may be a problem
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus