nodding lady's tresses
Spiranthes cernua
USDA zones5 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green.
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Nodding lady's tresses (Spiranthes cernua) is a perennial for pollinator gardens, meadows, and low maintenance beds. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full or part sun and moist to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Few people guess it is an orchid. White, fragrant flowers spiral up a slender stem and nod slightly, and bees visit them.
Pairs well with Cardinal flower, Pitcher plant, and Northwind switchgrass.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 37 more places. See all 41
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV; NB, NS, ON, and PE.