Spiranthes × bightensis 'Chadds Ford'
lady's tresses orchid
- 9cm pot
- £24.99
- available to order from spring
Delivery options
- Standard £5.99
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: August to September
- Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection)
Add a touch of late-season magic to your garden with spikes of elegant, fragrant white flowers that appear from late summer into autumn. Each bloom nods gracefully along spirally arranged stems, with a subtle yellow mark on the lip and a scent reminiscent of vanilla and jasmine. The contrast of delicate flowers above a tidy rosette of upright, strappy green leaves makes it a standout in borders, woodland edges, or beside ponds.
Spiranthes×bightensis ‘Chadds? Ford’ grows in neat clumps up to 60cm (2ft) tall, providing vertical interest and a soft, airy texture that complements other perennials. It thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soil with partial shade and benefits from a light winter mulch in colder areas. Once established, the clumps spread slowly, forming colonies that naturalise subtly, bringing ongoing charm and supporting garden biodiversity.
This terrestrial orchid is low-maintenance, generally disease-resistant, and a reliable performer in most sheltered gardens. Its statuesque flowering spikes make it perfect for autumn displays, attracting attention when many other plants are past their peak.
Spiranthes×bightensis ‘Chadds? Ford’ grows in neat clumps up to 60cm (2ft) tall, providing vertical interest and a soft, airy texture that complements other perennials. It thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soil with partial shade and benefits from a light winter mulch in colder areas. Once established, the clumps spread slowly, forming colonies that naturalise subtly, bringing ongoing charm and supporting garden biodiversity.
This terrestrial orchid is low-maintenance, generally disease-resistant, and a reliable performer in most sheltered gardens. Its statuesque flowering spikes make it perfect for autumn displays, attracting attention when many other plants are past their peak.
Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Keep the soil consistently damp but not waterlogged while the plants are growing. Apply a light layer of mulch in spring, just as new shoots appear, to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots, taking care not to cover the emerging growth.
Remove spent flower spikes after blooming to keep the plant tidy, and feed lightly with a balanced, diluted fertiliser during active growth. Once established, the plants become more drought resistant but will benefit from extra water during dry spells.
Remove spent flower spikes after blooming to keep the plant tidy, and feed lightly with a balanced, diluted fertiliser during active growth. Once established, the plants become more drought resistant but will benefit from extra water during dry spells.