Orchid: Southern marsh (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)

Southern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa)

Southern marsh orchids are reasonably widespread across the south of Britain up to a line across the country from North Wales to North Yorkshire. North of this line try planting Northern marsh orchid instead. They prefer neutral or alkaline soil and need damp sites. Southern marsh orchids plant well into borders and pots, as well as meadows and lawns. Plants grow to 30-50cm and have deep purple spikes of flowers. The orchid's rosette of leaves appears in spring and is followed by flowering and then seed setting. The whole plant dies back in early autumn and is dormant through the winter. Plant out in their final positions at the beginning or end of the dormancy period i.e. early autumn or early spring.

It's very difficult to produce orchids. Their seeds are tiny and wind blown, and in the wild they need to have a symbiotic fungal partner to germinate and grow. From seed to plant takes years. Once our specialist orchid whisperer has done all the hard work, however, they're easy to grow on.

Plants For Sale

We supply orchids in 9cm pots.

Your plants will come with specialist planting and management instructions.

Supplier : British Orchids

Our Southern marsh orchid plants have guaranteed UK provenance and origin.