Gymnadenia conopsea

RHS Plant Profile

fragrant orchid

RHS

Other common names

aromatic orchid, scented orchid, tegeirian pêr

Synonyms

Orchis conopsea

Bulbs

A herbaceous terrestrial orchid with narrowly lance-shaped leaves and stems to 50cm bearing small lilac-purple flowers in a dense, cylindrical spike. Scented

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–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

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Gymnadenia are herbaceous, terrestrial orchids with a leafy stem and palmately-lobed tubers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe, Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free