About

A perennial attaining about 35cm tall with lime green, arching, stem-clasping leaves. The white flowers appear in small, terminal clusters in early to midsummer, before the leaves are fully open.

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
HabitClump forming
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 toChina

Care notes

CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, preferably neutral 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 sown 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 slugs and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus