Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front, middle
Shade type:
Damp

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
Clay / Heavy / Moist

There are lots of easy-to-grow, hardy orchids in the Dactylorhiza genus. Typically, they bear large spikes of purple flowers with dotted, darker lips. They look fantastic when planted en masse among grasses and meadows, or in informal borders.

Dactylorhiza x braunii has pretty mauve and white flowers and strapped, dotty foliage. It can reach up to 60cm.

Dactylorhiza plants thrive throughout Britain as far as northern Scotland, and grow best in full sun to partial shade, in damp soil. If happy, plants will form dense clumps after several years and may be divided in autumn.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Flowersyes

Dactylorhiza and wildlife

Dactylorhiza is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is not known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Dactylorhiza poisonous?

Dactylorhiza has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Dactylorhiza braunii
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement