From neat rosettes of attractive purple-spotted, lance-shaped leaves, arise in late spring and early summer, long, densely-packed spikes, at first conical then cylindrical, of shell-pink flowers, each of which is intricately spotted and dotted with candy pink and purple. This is a very easy plant to grow in the garden, in a moist sunny soil, probably the best, and indeed the tallest, dactylorhiza to start with, and one which will, in time, make a splendid garden display which multiplies up very quickly. Seed MUST be sown by simply sprinkling it onto undisturbed garden soil. In a year or so, tiny spotted-leafed plants will appear as though by magic. Sowing in a pot of compost will not work! ... Learn More

This beautiful flower is widespread in the British Isles where it is found at up to 600 m above sea level. It is the more northerly equivalent of D. praetermissa with a delightful stocky dwarf habit with deep blue-tinged, green leaves and compact crowded flower spikes of deep rich violet-purple flowers. The individual blooms are deeply coloured and have a characteristic diamond shaped lip. It grows well and bulks up, doubling annually in ordinary garden soil, which is ideally damp but well drained. ... Learn More