About
An erect, tuberous perennial which would normally have yellow flowers. White and mauve flowers are less common. The mauve-flowered variety has green, lance-shaped leaves and three-petalled, crinkly mauve flowers in the spring.
About the genus
Roscoea are tuberous perennials with arching, linear or lance-shaped leaves and showy orchid-like flowers in summer or autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationFertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained neutral soil is preferred; although best in part-shade, if the soil is moist will do well in more open sites. Young growth is late, often not appearing until later in spring. Plant tubers 15cm deep in winter or early spring. Apply a deep winter mulch in colder areas
PruningDeadhead after flowering
PropagationPropagate by division of tubers in spring when growth is starting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus