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Showy Orchis Galearis spectabilis

Phonetic Spelling
gal-ee-AIR-iss speck-TAB-ih-liss
Description

Showy orchid is a native wildflower found in Canada south to eastern and central USA. In NC it is found primarily in the mountains in moist woodland sites. The plant produces 2 leaves which persist through fall and in spring clusters of pinkish-lavender and white mildly fragrant flowers appear. They are up to 1.5 inches long and have a distinctive upper hood of fused sepals and petals with a long white lower lip. They are primarily pollinated by bumblebees.

Grow this orchid in moist fertile well-drained soil with leaf mold incorporated in the woodland setting. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#lavender#white flowers#NC native#native garden#orchid#spring interest#understory planting#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#lavender#white flowers#NC native#native garden#orchid#spring interest#understory planting#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Galearis
    Species:
    spectabilis
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Canada to N. Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Distribution:
    Native in Quebec to Ontario in Canada, and south to North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and Kansas.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are in a terminal cluster of three to ten or more blooms. The flowers are 3/4 inch to 1.5 inches long, two-parted with a pink to light purple upper hood (formed by the joined sepals and lateral petals) and a white lower petal which forms a spurred lip. The flowers can be lightly fragrant.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Two basal leaves, that are fleshy, oval to elliptic, and clasping the stem. First-year plants have only one foliage leaf.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees