About
Roscoea wardii, Ward's roscoea, is a tuberous perennial producing upright, yellow-green, stem-clasping foliage. Terminal clusters of flowers open very dark purple in mid- to late summer, becoming paler and redder with age. A rewarding and ornamental tuberous perennial for a sheltered, moist, well-drained woodland border or rock garden.
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, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toHimalaya, W China
Care notes
CultivationFertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained neutral to acid 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 seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or by division in spring
Pest resistanceSlugs and vine weevil may be a problem
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, but may be susceptible to a virus