Dactylorhiza purpurella
Northern marsh orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is to be found in Scotland and also in the north western parts of England. It may also be found in the western parts of Europe. It has fleshy incurved leaves and makes a stout flowering stalk with a conical head of red-purple flowers. The individual flowers are spurred and close examination will show that the lip of each bloom is diamond shaped. There are spots and lines on it, though, again, close observation is required. It flowers in late summer and enjoys, as its common name suggests, marshy and moist places.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Divide when too large for pot
Orchids that are too large for their pots can be divided. Cut through the rhizome and root ball if necessary. Treat cuts with sulphur powder, repot the plant and stake it to ensure it is not going to move in its pot.
You can remove offsets and bulbils etc. at this time, but leave some pseudo bulbs and put bulbs back in place. Look for specialist literature if you wish to get the very best from your orchid.