Epipactis purpurata

Also known as: The Purple Epipactis or Serapias latifolia Serapias latifolia var. sylvestris Serapias sessilifolia Epipactis merediorum Epipactis purpurata f. chlorophylla Epipactis violacea f. chlorophylla Epipactis viridflora Epipactis macropodia var. viridiflora Epipactis pollinensis Epipactis halacsyi Epipactis pseudopurpurata Helleborine latifolia ssp. varians Epipactis purpurata ssp. pollinensis Helleborine violacea Epipactis latifolia var. brevifolia Helleborine latifolia f. rosea Epipactis latifolia var. purpurata Epipactis latifolia f. foliosa Helleborine sessilifolia Epipactis helleborine ssp. viridiflora Epipactis purpurata ssp. halacsyi Helleborine latifolia monstr. interrupta Epipactis sessilifolia Epipactis helleborine var. viridiflora Helleborine latifolia var. varians Helleborine varians Helleborine latifolia monstr. abortiva Epipactis viridiflora ssp. pollinensis Epipactis viridiflora var. pollinensis Helleborine latifolia var. purpurea Epipactis rubiginosa var. stenopetala Epipactis viridans f. brevifolia Epipactis viridiflora ssp. halacsyi Epipactis viridans var. viridiflora Limodorum violaceum Epipactis violacea Helleborine latifolia var. viridiflora Epipactis purpurata var. rosea Epipactis latifolia ssp. purpurata Helleborine latifolia ssp. viridiflora Epipactis varians Epipactis purpurata ssp. pseudopurpurata Epipactis viridiflora ssp. pseudopurpurata Epipactis purpurata var. pollinensis Epipactis viridiflora var. rosea Epipactis purpurata f. rosea Helleborine viridiflora Epipactis latifolia var. purpurea Epipactis latifolia lusus rosea Epipactis latifolia ssp. varians Epipactis helleborine ssp. varians Epipactis latifolia ssp. viridiflora Epipactis atrorubens var. viridiflora Epipactis latifolia var. varians Epipactis latifolia ssp. purpurea Epipactis latifolia var. viridiflora Epipactis helleborine var. varians Epipactis helleborine var. violacea Epipactis latifolia ssp. violacea Epipactis latifolia f. varians Epipactis latifolia var. violacea The Violet Helleborine in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Austria Belgium Bulgaria Denmark France Germany Greece Hungary Italy Romania Spain Switzerland Ukraine

General Information

The Purple Epipactis is a small to medium sized cold to cool growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous erect lance shaped leaves

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Summer

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Summer

Care Notes

These orchids grow on the forest floor so are used to rich soil containing plenty of organic matter that is always moist (but not always wet), and prefer constant conditions in terms of humidity, temperature and water supply. They may not be as forgiving as epiphytes in regards to sudden changes in growing conditions so it is wise to ease them into new conditions over a the space of a few days, and repot as infrequently as possible.

Keep an eye on the plants condition regularly as they can decline suddenly if the conditions are not just right. It is more important to keep water supply constant rather than frequent - overwatering often causes rot which can quickly set in, especially in warmer conditions.

These can be grown in shady, moist areas in the garden, supplied they have protection from abrupt changes caused by the elements, e.g. dry winds, frost etc. Being grown around companion plants such as ferns and bromeliads will help build and retain the humidity they require throughout the year.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations.

Fertiliser

These plants do well with slow release fertiliser at the rate of 2-3 pellets per cup (250ml) of media. Additional fertiliser during the growth period may be beneficial, but not necessary.

Potting

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well. Repotting is best done after the growing season when the plant has died back.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.