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Herbaceous Perennial

Epipactis helleborine

broad-leaved helleborine

A rhizomatous, terrestrial orchid with relatively broad, oval, prominently veined leaves. The flowers, produced in spikes up to 80cm tall, have a variable combination of pink and green shades and appear in mid- to late summer

Synonyms

Epipactis latifolia

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Epipactis are rhizomatous, terrestrial orchids, bearing leaves spirally or in two ranks on the stem, without a basal rosette. The flowers have incurved upper petals, forming a helmet and the lower lip is curved into a cup shape
Name status: Correct
Plant range: NW Africa Europe to China

How to grow

Cultivation

Best in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, alkaline to slightly acid soil in full or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, ensuring each piece of rhizome has at least one growing point

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruining required

Pests

Susceptible to damage by slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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