trefle.io · Taken Jun 4, 2018 by Bertrand Briand (cc-by-sa)
Orchidaceae
Heath spotted orchid
Dactylorhiza maculata
Also known as Orchis basilica, Orchis maculata var. palustris, Spot orchid, Orchis maculata var. concolor
Native Plants · Orchid · Terrestrial Orchid · Wildflower · Meadow · Heathland · Rare · Specialist · Native · Pollinator · European
Heath spotted orchid is a stunning terrestrial European orchid that requires very specific growing conditions including nutrient-poor, slightly acidic to neutral moist soil and cool temperatures to thrive. It is best suited to experienced gardeners who can replicate meadow or heathland conditions, and does not adapt well to containers or typical garden beds. Avoid fertilizing heavily, as this orchid is adapted to poor soils and excess nutrients will suppress its growth.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately to keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; reduce watering in dormancy · Every 5-7 days during growing season
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 8 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Rus, Chita, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France, FøRoyar, Germany, Great Britain
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle
More Dactylorhiza
Related plants from the same genus
Common spotted orchid
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
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Longbract frog orchid
Dactylorhiza viridis
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Southern marsh-orchid
Dactylorhiza praetermissa
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Elder-flowered orchid
Dactylorhiza sambucina
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