Create Your Garden

Epipactis gigantea (Giant Helleborine)

Giant Helleborine, Stream Orchid, Chatterbox Orchid, Giant Hellebore

Epipactis gigantea, Hardy Orchid, Giant Helleborine, Stream Orchid, Chatterbox Orchid, Giant Hellebore, Garden Orchids

Epipactis gigantea (Giant Helleborine) is a terrestrial orchid with loose spikes of up to 32 showy flowers, 1 in. across (3 cm), spread out along the stem. The sepals are green or greenish, with petals ranging from greenish to pink to rose, often with purple-brown or red markings or veins. Blooming for several weeks from mid-spring to mid-summer, the flowers are borne on erect stems bearing mid-green, lance-shaped leaves. They bloom in sequence up the stem. Approximately two months after flowering, the foliage fades, then disappear completely with the arrival of winter. The root system forms a dense spreading clump of rhizomes. Giant Helleborine will spread over time. Native to western North America, Giant Helleborine grows naturally in wet areas in a variety of habitats, including riverbanks, hot springs, and meadows. Ideal for a rock or woodland garden or in a wildflower meadow.

  • Grows up to 12-30 in. tall (30-75 cm) and 6 in. wide (15 cm).
  • Performs best in moist, humus-rich, leafy soil in partial shade.
  • Lovely addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, rock gardens, and bog gardens, near ponds and streams. Can be grown in containers too.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant
  • Propagate by division in spring.
  • Native to western North America from western Canada to central Mexico. This is one of the most abundant orchids of the Pacific coast of North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Orchids, Perennials
Plant Family Orchidaceae
Genus Epipactis
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid),
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Epipactis (Helleborine) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Epipactis helleborine (Broad Leaved Helleborine)
Epipactis palustris (Marsh Helleborine)

Recommended Companion Plants

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag)
Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet Monkey Flower)
Mimulus guttatus (Yellow Monkey Flower)
Iris ensata (Japanese Iris)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

50 Texas Wildflowers to Brighten Your Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Orchids, Perennials
Plant Family Orchidaceae
Genus Epipactis
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid),
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Epipactis (Helleborine) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Epipactis gigantea (Giant Helleborine) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Epipactis gigantea (Giant Helleborine) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone