Dactylorhiza
Marsh orchid, Spotted orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.25m – 0.6m × 0.2m – 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These subtle and beautiful plants grow from tubers and flower from late spring going into summer. They are all of modest appearance and stand around 60 centimetres in height, often less. Their flowers are held on columnar spikes that hold many individual blooms that are in shades of purple, pink or white. The green leaves may be spotted in shades of brown or purple. These are plants that are found in places with some moisture but they don't want to be waterlogged.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column, Cone
- Height
- 0.25m – 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- 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.
Planting & general
Planting
Divide some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have different requirements for dividing them when they get big. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for guidance, and/or check the label.