Epipactis palustris
Marsh helleborine
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant which forms a handsome colony of broad oblong leaves which arch out from the upright stalks. The small but showy flowers sit in a cluster at the top, their faces downpointed, and coloured white with pink stripes. This is a terrestrial orchid, which means it can be grown in the ground. Likes moist to boggy conditions where it is invasive so perhaps not best suited to smaller gardens. It is impressive when naturalised in a wild garden. It will tolerate some frost, taking a minimum winter temperature of 4 degrees C. It is suited to pot culture so can be brought under cover when this is necessary.
- Flower colour
- Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- 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 frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
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.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.