Epipactis helleborine

RHS Plant Profile
broad-leaved helleborine

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broad-leaved helleborine RHS
broad-leaved helleborine RHS
broad-leaved helleborine RHS

Other common names

caldrist lydanddail

Synonyms

Epipactis latifolia

Herbaceous Perennial

A rhizomatous, terrestrial orchid with relatively broad, oval, prominently veined leaves. The flowers, produced in spikes up to 80cm tall, have a variable combination of pink and green shades and appear in mid- to late summer

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–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
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Epipactis are rhizomatous, terrestrial orchids, bearing leaves spirally or in two ranks on the stem, without a basal rosette. The flowers have incurved upper petals, forming a helmet and the lower lip is curved into a cup shape
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
NW Africa Europe to China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, alkaline to slightly acid soil in full or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, ensuring each piece of rhizome has at least one growing point

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruining required

Pests

Susceptible to damage by slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free