Roscoea australis

RHS Plant Profile
southern roscoea

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southern roscoea RHS
Herbaceous Perennial
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A deciduous, compact, clump-forming perennial, 10 to 20cm tall, with lance-shaped leaves. The slightly-hooded, orchid-like flowers are mid to dark-purple (or occasionally white), approximately 3.5cm wide, and appear in early to late summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
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
Zingiberaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Correct
Plant Range
WC Myanmar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers 15cm deep in winter or early spring. Grow on in moderately fertile, humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained soil, in a cool, sheltered site in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed by sowing in a cold frame as soon as the seeds are ripe. Divide plants in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering

Pests

Slugs and vine weevils may be a problem

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus