Anacamptis pyramidalis

RHS Plant Profile
pyramidal orchid

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Anacamptis pyramidalis?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
pyramidal orchid RHS
pyramidal orchid RHS

Other common names

pyramid orchid, tegeirian bera

Synonyms

Anacamptis urvilleana
Orchis pyramidalis
Aceras pyramidale

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A tuberous, terrestrial orchid with lance-shaped leaves and small, rich pink, or occasionally pure white, flowers in a crowded, conical spike in mid-summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Anacamptis are slender terrestrial orchids with rounded tubers and a rosette of lance-shaped basal leaves, the erect stem bearing smaller and narrower leaves and a loose, or dense, terminal raceme of spurred flowers in early summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Africa, Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in fertile, well-drained, gritty, humus-rich, neutral or alkaline soil in partial shade. Plant dormant tubers at least 8cm deep. Can be naturalised in fine turf

Propagation

Propagate by separating offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Susceptible to slug and snail damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free