Summary
Showy Orchis is an elegant small orchid with helmet shaped or hooded white and lavender to pink flowers on a short stem 6-10” tall that begins flowering in early May and is uncommon in the garden. In spring it produces two oval-shaped, fleshy, basal leaves slowly developing offsets over many years. Showy orchis thrives in humus rich, well-drained deciduous woodland gardens in a range of soil pH from neutral to acidic. This diminutive garden gem is very slow growing, dislikes disturbance, and is best grown in low competitions sites. It makes a nice companion with spring ephemerals such as Anemone acutiloba, Thalictrum thalictroides, Claytonia virginica, Trillium grandiflorum, and Cardamine diphylla.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial - Sun/Shade Conditions
partial-shade, shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average - Flowering Period
mid-spring - Soil PH
acidic, adaptable - Flower Color
lavender, pink, white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Other Scientific Names
Orchis spectabilis
Additional Information
USDA Plants Database, Wildflowers of the Southeastern U.S., Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Info