Spiranthes cernua

Common Names

White Nodding Ladies'-Tresses, Nodding Lady's Tresses, Nodding Ladies' Tresses, Nodding Ladies'-Tresses, Ladies'-Tresses

Summary

Spiranthes cernua is a North American native orchid, a herbaceous perennial reaching 14 to 50 cm tall, often with basal leaves persisting through flowering, Its terminal, pubescent, spiraled spike bears white flowers that nod at the base of the perianth; the lip is typically yellow centered and the flowers are fragrant, It grows in wet habitats such as bogs, marshes, meadows, and along roadsides and riverbanks, and can spread slowly by rhizomes to form colonies, In cultivation, it prefers moist boggy acidic soils in partial shade, with some tolerance for full sun; it is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and described as one of the easier native orchids to cultivate, including in containers, Propagation is best by dividing offsets or rhizomes; seed propagation is difficult, though seed pods may be removed after late fall frost to stimulate root and daughter plant growth; ethical notes advise obtaining nursery propagated plants rather than collecting from the wild, Uses include fragrance and value as a native pollinator plant; well suited for bog gardens, pond margins, meadows, and other wet landscape areas.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-24 inches

Spread

9-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Sun, tolerates Partial Shade or Shade, prefers bright indirect light (about 6 hours).

Soil Type

Loamy soil that retains moisture but drains well; a mix of loam and organic matter (peat or leaf mold) is ideal, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

Soil Drainage

Consistently moist, acidic soil; avoid waterlogging

Soil pH

Approximately pH 6.5, Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

White to ivory or creamy, sometimes pale green or yellowish

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees