Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial
Listera ovata
bifoil
A terrestrial orchid producing, from a short rhizome, an upright stem with a single pair of broad, pale yellowish-green leaves with prominent veins. In mid to late summer a spike of flowers emerges up to 60cm tall with up to 100 flowers, but often shorter. The yellow-green flowers are hooded, with a long, forked lip
prev
next
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
Unresolved
- Plant range
- Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, nutrient poor, alkaline or neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slug and snail damage
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.