Orychophragmus violaceus Seeds | February Orchid
LATIN NAME: Orychophragmus violaceus
COMMON NAME: February Orchid
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, February Orchid (Orychophragmus violaceus) is an annual in the cabbage family. The February orchid is violet haze of early spring, and four-petalled, violet-purple flowers open along branching stems. Plant is a fine, generous presence of early border and wild patch. It is a plant of open, sunny to partly shaded, well-drained ground. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Orychophragmus violaceus, a representative of the cabbage family with clear practical value. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value February Orchid for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. The February orchid is a fine, generous plant of early border and wild patch. It has been written up in horticultural papers for violet haze and early, generous ways, and it is a fine, generous plant of open, sunny to partly shaded, well-drained garden. The February orchid is one of early spring flowers of cool garden, and violet haze draws the first bees of the year. A plant that has settled in will get along with only routine care.
February orchid is a Chinese spring wildflower whose young leaves are eaten as a vitamin-rich green; its violet drifts are a celebrated sight in Beijing parks.
Growing from Seed
Raising February Orchid from seed is straightforward. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
It is a solid representative of the Orychophragmus group, true to type from seed. Sun, free drainage and a patient first year are all it really requires.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow February Orchid often pair it with these related subjects: