Dactylorhiza sambucina

RHS Plant Profile
elderflower orchid

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Other common names

elder-scented orchid

Synonyms

Orchis sambucina var. purpurea
Orchis sambucina

Robust, deciduous, terrestrial orchid, about 30-60cm in height with unspotted lance-shaped mid-green basal leaves, pointed at their tips. Dense spikes of purple, creamy-white or occasionally salmon-pinks lightly-scented flowers appear in late spring or early 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
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required, tidy if necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free