giant helleborine
Epipactis gigantea
USDA zones5 to 10
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Pink , orange , yellow , green , purple , brown
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Giant helleborine (Epipactis gigantea) is a perennial for borders and containers, and it needs little care. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to wet soil of most types. Leafy stems grow in dense patches. Each greenish-brown and pinkish flower has a lower lip that moves when touched or shaken, so people call it Chatterbox. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything.
Pairs well with Cardinal flower, Sweet flag, Allegheny monkeyflower, and Lady fern.
Native range
AZ, CA, CO, ID, and 10 more places. See all 14
AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY; BC.