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