Epipactis palustris

Marsh Helleborine Orchidaceae

One of Britain’s most beautiful native orchids, Epipactis palustris is a rhizomatous perennial of calcareous fens, marshes, damp meadows and wet dune slacks, with a remarkably broad range extending from Europe eastwards to the Caucasus and Mongolia. 

From June into August, upright stems carry a succession of intricately marked flowers, typically combining reddish-brown or pink sepals with a creamy-white lip boldly marked yellow and red. Colour varies considerably, with occasional colonies producing almost entirely cream or white flowers. 

Unlike many terrestrial orchids, it can spread quite readily by its creeping rhizome, eventually forming handsome colonies where conditions suit. It favours sun or light shade, permanently or seasonally moist, base-rich soil and relatively low fertility—think fen rather than fertilised flower border. Pollination is carried out principally by bees and wasps, attracted to its nectar.

A superb native orchid for a suitably damp, alkaline garden, particularly a bog garden, pond margin or constructed fen.

Height: 30–60cm | Spread: 20–40cm
Flowering: June–August | Foliage: Deciduous
Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)