Schizanthus grahamii
Graham's butterfly orchid
An upright annual 30-80cm high, with sticky, hairy stems, very finely divided leaves up to 8cm long, and in summer flowers to 3.5cm across which may vary in colour from pink to violet and purple, occasionally tinged orange, and deep yellow on the central lobe of the upper lip, followed by an ellipsoid capsule 10-12mm long
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Orange Purple Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Schizanthus are showly annuals with pinnately dissected leaves and terminal clusters of orchid-like, 2-lipped flowers in a wide range of colours and often with a contrasting eye, from spring to autumn
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
In cool temperate regions, grow outside in summer in containers or in a sheltered sunny border in light, fertile, well-drained soil, or in a conservatory or cool greenhouse (ventilate when temperatures rise above 7-10°C) in a coarsely draining, medium-fertility, peat-free, loam-based mix, in full light with shade from hot sun or in bright filtered light; water sparingly in winter and plentifully when in full growth but without overwatering, and apply a dilute high-potash liquid fertilizer every two weeks; unlike other Schizanthus, S. grahamii is better grown on without pinching out
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13-16°C in mid-spring for plants flowering in summer, or in late summer for plants grown for winter flowering under glass, and pot on regularly so that plants are in their final pots by late autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
- Cut flowers
Pruning
No pruning required, but good as cut flowers
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids but generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to wilts, leafy gall, powdery mildews, crown, foot and root rots, and virus diseases such as tomato spotted wilt but generally disease-free
Get involved
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