Ophrys apifera

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bee orchid

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bee orchid RHS
bee orchid RHS

Other common names

bee flower, tegeirian y gwenyn

Synonyms

Orchis apifera

Herbaceous Perennial
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A terrestrial orchid with a rosette of oblong leaves and, in mid spring or early summer, flower spikes to 30cm tall, bearing up to 11 blooms, each up to 2.5cm across, with pale green or pink petals and a brown, velvety lip with yellow markings, resembling a bee

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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Ophrys are tuberous terrestrial orchids producing a basal rosette of leaves and upright flowering stems with small leaves and spikes of two to 12 flowers, the lower lip often resembling a foraging insect
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Asia, Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in well-drained, gritty, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline soil in partial shade. Plant dormant tubers in autumn, at least 5cm deep. Can be naturalised in fine turf

Propagation

Propagate by separating offsets in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Deadhead as flowers fade

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free