Dactylorhiza elata

Plain green leaves and large, strong spikes of rich, deep purple flowers, on tall reddish stems, from late May onwards. The lips and sepals are the same deep intense shade, relieved only by lines of pink-pinprick spotting on the lip.

Strong growing and easy in a damp soil in sun or light shade. Hardy.

This is a brand new stock, raised from Spanish seed to flowering size in cultivation. It is nothing like the old forms grown in the UK, it represents a closer match to the more widespread forms in the wild, which are, ironically, far rarer in cultivation. As well as its strong growths, purple stems, intensely coloured flowers and vigour, it has the advantage of not carrying disease or nematodes in the manner of many of the old, established stocks maintained only by division.

Due to permit costs of approx. £60 per item imposed by the UK Government these are not available for customers in Norway, Switzerland, USA, etc.