Spiranthes 'Chadd's Ford' Orchid - Marginal Pond Plants - MP140

Spiranthes × bightensis 'Chadds Ford' (formerly Spiranthes cernua var. odorata ‘Chadds Ford’) is a captivating hardy terrestrial orchid that forms neat clumps of basal rosettes with slender, upright leaves. From late summer into autumn (typically August through November), it produces gracefully spiralled spikes of small, nodding, pure white flowers, each around 1 cm long and subtly marked with a yellow lip. These blooms are beautifully fragrant—often compared to vanilla and jasmine—filling the garden with delicate scent that adds an enchanting layer to late-season plantings.

This statuesque orchid can reach up to around 60 cm in height, creating an elegant vertical accent in moist, sheltered areas. It prefers consistently moist but well-drained soils—rich in organic matter or slightly acidic—situated in full to partial shade. It thrives beside ponds, in damp woodland gardens, or even in sunnier positions provided moisture is adequate . Once established, its underground rhizomes form colonies that can increase in size each year, allowing ‘Chadds Ford’ to naturalise subtly and enrich garden biodiversity .

Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) and classified as H4 hardiness, this orchid is reliably hardy in most parts of the UK. Although not native to Great Britain or Ireland, it is recognised for its ease of cultivation and impressive autumn presence. Minimal maintenance is required: simply remove faded flower spikes after frost to encourage root and daughter plant development.