1 / 3

Orchis spp.

orchid

Orchidaceae

Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Orchis spp. is a genus of terrestrial orchids in the family Orchidaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, and the genus from which the orchid family takes its name. After recent reclassification the genus holds roughly 20 species, several once placed here having moved to Anacamptis spp. and Neotinea spp.. Plants grow from rounded underground tubers, the paired shape of which gave the genus its name, and produce a basal rosette of smooth or spotted strap-shaped leaves. In spring to early summer each plant sends up an erect stem 15-60 cm (6-24 in) tall topped with a dense spike of many small flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, or pale yellow, often with a spotted, lobed lip and a backward-pointing spur. Most species grow in grassland, scrub, and open woodland on neutral to lime-rich soils, and many depend on mycorrhizal fungi, especially as seedlings, which makes them slow to establish and hard to transplant. Several species are legally protected and are declining with the loss of traditional grassland. Pollination is by bees and other insects, sometimes by deception, with no nectar reward.

Native Range

Orchis spp. is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, with the greatest diversity around the Mediterranean. Species grow in unimproved grassland, garrigue, scrub, and open woodland, mostly on neutral to lime-rich soils.

Suggested Uses

Orchis spp. species are grown by specialist orchid and alpine enthusiasts and are features of species-rich meadows, chalk grassland, and nature reserves. They are valued in grassland conservation as indicators of long-established, unimproved turf.

How to Identify

Terrestrial orchids growing from rounded tubers, with a basal rosette of strap-shaped leaves that may be plain or dark-spotted. In spring to early summer an erect stem 15-60 cm (6-24 in) tall carries a dense spike of small pink, purple, white, or pale yellow flowers, each with a lobed, often spotted lip and a backward spur.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'

Width/Spread4" - 10"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring Summer

Most species flower from mid-spring into early summer, roughly April to June depending on region and altitude. The dense flower spikes are followed by upright capsules that split to release dust-like seed carried on the wind.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink, purple, white, or pale yellow

Foliage Description

green, sometimes spotted

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Orchis spp. species are challenging in cultivation because they rely on soil mycorrhizal fungi and are set back by root disturbance. In the wild they grow in full sun to light shade in moderately fertile, free-draining neutral to alkaline soils, often over chalk or limestone, with a pH around 6.5-8.0. They need a dry summer dormancy after the leaves die back and steady moisture from autumn through spring. Lifting or dividing the tubers usually fails, and seed needs the right fungal partner to germinate. Specialist growers raise a few species from flask-grown seedlings, but most are left undisturbed in grassland managed by late-summer cutting or grazing.

Pruning

No pruning is required. Flower spikes can be left to set and shed seed, and the dying foliage is allowed to wither naturally as the plant enters summer dormancy.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic