Spiranthes × bightensis 'Chadds Ford'

RHS Plant Profile

lady's tresses 'Chadd's Ford'

Synonyms

Spiranthes odorata 'Chadd's Ford'
Spiranthes cernua var. odorata 'Chadd's Ford'

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A clump-forming terrestrial orchid to 60cm tall with broadly linear leaves to 20cm long and a plentiful number of white flowers, scented of vanilla and jasmine, about 1cm long with a yellow mark on the lip, arranged spirally on spikes to 65cm tall, appearing from late summer until autumn

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Spiranthes are small terrestrial or epiphytic orchids with tuberous roots and basal rosettes of papery or fleshy rounded leaves. Spiral racemes with tiny white flowers are borne along upright stems
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant this frost hardy cultivar outdoors when dormant in moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered spot with part shade and provide a deep, dry winter mulch in frosty areas. If grown under glass use terrestrial orchid compost and locate in bright filtered light, water freely in the growing season and use orchid fertiliser every third watering; keep dry and frost free when dormant

Propagation

Propagate by division of tubers when dormant; plantlets form in winter on root tips and can be removed when manageable

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite if grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-resistant