Roscoea purpurea 'Dalai Lama'
purple roscoea 'Dalai Lama'
'Dalai Lama' is a perennial with spreading, mid-green, wavy-edged leaves clasping a red-flushed stem. The flowers are pale violet with white streaks in the throat and appear in mid- to late summer in small, terminal clusters
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Purple | Green | |
| Autumn | Red | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Fertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained neutral soil is preferred; although best in part-shade, if the soil is moist will do well in more open sites. Young growth is late, often not appearing until later in spring. Plant tubers 15cm deep in winter or early spring. Apply a deep winter mulch in colder areas, and take pots under cover
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead after flowering
Pests
Slugs and vine weevil may be a problem
Diseases
Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to a virus
Get involved
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