Dactylorhiza purpurella (spotted leaf)

Also Known As

Dactylorhiza purpurella
Orchis purpurella
Deep Purple Dactylorhiza
Northern Marsh Orchid
Northern Marsh Orchid

Plant type

bulb / corm / tuber, aquatic, orchid

size

H: 12"-18"
W: 6"-12"

planting zones

4a-8b

More Options

Dactylorhiza purpurella (spotted leaf) plant details

Dactylorhiza purpurella (spotted leaf) is a broadleaf deciduous aquatic bulb / corm / tuber or orchid with burgundy, green and variegated foliage. In spring and summer purple flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Dactylorhiza purpurella (spotted leaf)

Plant type: aquatic bulb / corm / tuber or orchid
Plant family: orchidaceae
Foliage: deciduous burgundy, green and variegated
Mature size: 6 IN - 12 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in spring and summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Dactylorhiza purpurella (spotted leaf)

USDA Zones: 4a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Dactylorhiza purpurella, the northern marsh orchid, grows in northern Europe. It produces beautiful, short spikes densely packed with gorgeous magenta flowers marked with darker magenta-red around white throats. Seed grown. Marsh orchids grow across Europe usually in moist habitats that are either moist year round or seasonally moist in the winter becoming drier in the summer. Despite their marshy natural habitats, these hardy orchids do well in evenly moist garden soils in full to part sun and are easy to grow. Over time they will develop into impressive clumps of lance-shaped leaves with many vertical spikes of delightful orchid flowers.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

When established and in bloom they are so stunning that when I tell visitors they can look through the whole nursery but don't touch anything and they promise to do so, once they see them they forget everything and bring one of those to me to buy. Their flowers are all purple veined, the base color can range from white to bright pink-purple. Leaves are prominently spotted, especially in spring. As they "stretch", the spotting becomes less intense. See (plain leaf) for growing instructions.