Epipactis Sabine

The Epipactis 'Sabine' is a hybrid garden orchid resulting from a cross between the giant Epipactis or giant Helleborine, an American species, and the marsh Epipactis, a European species found in French soil. Reasonably easy to grow and vigorous, it quickly forms colonies where it thrives. Its fairly tall floral stems, with dense foliage, bear flowers in a mix of yellow, red, and pink. Plant it in neutral to acidic, well-drained, light, fresh to moist soil, ideally in full sun or partial shade.

The Epipactis 'Sabine' belongs to the orchid family. It is the result of a cross between Epipactis gigantea and Epipactis palustris. Its first parent is native to the western states of America and northern Mexico. In nature, it grows along the edges of watercourses, in permanently damp to moist humus-bearing soils. Its second parent is native to Europe and Asia. It grows in moist places, in full light, in clear and humid undergrowth up to 1,500 m altitude. 'Sabine' is a perennial plant with fleshy rhizomes, easily reaching 80 cm in height and 40 cm in width. Its deciduous vegetation emerges from the ground in spring and disappears in autumn. It consists of stems with 4 to 12 sheathing and lanceolate leaves measuring 5 to 15 cm long. Flowering takes place from June to August, and can be more or less early depending on the climate. The floral stem bears up to 15 flowers with a diameter of 3.5 cm. Each flower has three sepals and two petals. The labellum is cup-shaped with a pointed protuberance. The flowers range in shades of yellow, red, and pink. The flowering is followed by the formation of a pendulous capsule measuring 2 or 3 cm long containing thousands of tiny seeds.

The Epipactis 'Sabine' is not afraid of the cold and appreciates sunny but not scorching exposures, where its flowering is more abundant. Although it has an original appearance, it is also a plant with a natural look, easy to integrate into the garden, in cool to moist beds or along the edge of water points. As it forms dense, fairly tall plants, don't hesitate to associate them with willowherbs, meadowsweets, Japanese primroses, and astilbes that appreciate the same conditions and make beautiful subjects. Also consider Osmundas, ferns that grow in sunny, moist soil.

When you receive your orchids, handle them with care: these plants produce few roots and are delicate!