Roscoea purpurea 'Nico'
purple roscoea 'Nico'
A compact tuberous perennial, to about 20cm tall, shorter than many other varieties, with strap-shaped dark green, upright leaves, flushed with dark red, clasping thick red stems. Very large, dark purple orchid or iris-like flowers are produced in loose clusters from July to September
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Purple | Green Red | |
| Autumn | Red | Green Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Genus
Roscoea are tuberous perennials with arching, linear or lance-shaped leaves and showy orchid-like flowers in summer or autumn
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. A cool, sheltered site in partial shade is ideal; in very cold areas apply a deep winter mulch. If growing from a tuber, plant 15cm deep
Propagation
Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe, or by division of tubers in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Remove faded flowers, the rest of the plant will die down naturally
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevils
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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