Orchid: Northern marsh (Dactylorhiza purpurella)

Northern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella)

Northern marsh orchids are perennial plants, suitable for a range damp locations in the North of the UK - north of Yorkshire. If you're down south have a look at its southern cousin. Northern marsh orchids are happy with acid, neutral or alkaline soil. They work well in borders and pots, as well as meadows and lawns. Plants grow to 20-30cm and have vivid 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 Northern marsh orchid plants have guaranteed UK provenance and origin.

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