Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
BulbsHerbaceous Perennial

Dactylorhiza fuchsii

common spotted orchid

An erect perennial to 60cm tall, with usually purple-spotted, lance-shaped leaves and dense spikes of purple, pink or white flowers with darker markings in late spring and early summer

Other common names
tegeirian brych cyffredin
Synonyms
Orchis fuchsii
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple White Green Purple
Summer Pink Purple White Green Purple
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Orchidaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Dactylorhiza are deciduous tuberous perennials with lance-shaped leaves sometimes spotted with purple, and dense terminal racemes of purple, pink or white flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe to E Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, leafy soil in partial shade

Propagation

By division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required, tidy if necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.