Roscoea purpurea

RHS Plant Profile
purple roscoea

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purple roscoea RHS

Synonyms

Roscoea procera Wall.
Roscoea purpurea var. procera

Herbaceous Perennial
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An upright deciduous tuberous perennial forming a clump of leafy stems to 30cm tall, with orchid-like light purple flowers 5cm long in summer and early autumn

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
West–facing or East–facing or North–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
Himalaya

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering

Pests

Slugs and vine weevil may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to a virus