Description

The Dactylorhiza majalis praetermissa, also known as the Southern Marsh Orchid or Leopard Marsh Orchid, is a stunning native species that adds a touch of wild beauty to any garden. Known for its vibrant dark pink flowers and distinctive dark-spotted leaves, this orchid is perfect for creating a natural, wildlife-friendly environment near water features or damp areas.

Typically found in alkaline meadows, by ponds, lakes, or reservoirs, this unique orchid thrives in moist, well-drained soil and is an excellent choice for garden borders, water gardens, or naturalized areas. The plant’s hollow stem is adorned with 3 to 8 dark-spotted leaves that give it an intriguing, patterned appearance. Its striking flower spikes, filled with clusters of pink blooms, will bring beauty and a touch of the wild to your landscape.

Features:

• Beautiful dark pink flowers that bloom in clusters
• Unique dark-spotted leaves distributed along the hollow stem
• Native to damp alkaline meadows, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs
• Perfect for water gardens, wetlands, and naturalized garden areas
• Ideal for gardeners looking to attract wildlife and add a native touch

Add the Dactylorhiza majalis praetermissa to your garden for a splash of wild beauty and natural elegance, perfect for enhancing water features or damp, alkaline areas.

Repotting or planting

Bare Root and 9cm marginal plants require potting into a larger mesh basket. Place in a pond no deeper than 1/3 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. 1ltr marginal plants do not require repotting immediately, place in the pond no deeper than 1/2 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish, plants over 60cm height growth will benefit from repotting into a larger mesh basket or should be planted in gravel to prevent them from falling over. Larger plants in 3ltr and 5ltr pots do not require repotting for many years as they are larger more established plants can be placed up to the maximum recommended depth. There is no need to remove the mesh basket.

Care instructions

Little maintenance is required. Trim just above the water surface after foliage has died back in Autumn to tidy leaving a little material to protect new shoots or trim in spring when actively growing

Colour

Pink

Growth rate

Slow

Flowers

May-June

Sun/shade

Full sun to part shade

Season

Spring

Measurements in centimetres

Height Min -Max

60

Depth Min-Max

0-5