Orange fringe orchid is a native perennial plant in the Orchidaceae (orchid) family that is native to the eastern and southern portions of Canada and the US. Its native habitat ranges from peaty or wet areas, dry uplands, meadows, sandy woods and thickets, slopes, and roadsides. The common name fringe orchid comes from the hairy looking lower petal on its dainty bright orange flowers. Orange fringe orchid grows quickly in small colonies by spreading out stolons that bud new plants. Reaching a mature height of 1 to 3 feet, it prefers acidic soils that are boggy and wet though it tolerates drier conditions as long as adequate moisture is present during flowering. Mulch with pine straw in the winter to protect the roots and help acidify the soil. This plant can be challenging to propagate by seed so divide roots in the fall. The flowers have a long nectar spur in the back that attracts pollinators like butterflies and moths. Due to threats including succession, plant collection, roadside mowing, and changes in hydrology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find in the northern edges of the native range. Plant in a native meadow, bog, or pollinator garden. They work well mass planted in drifts along slope, or in a container and the flowers make excellent cut bouquets. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. The flower stalk may need staking.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Erect
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Bright green to blue-green simple, alternate, entire margins, lower leaves are lance-shaped, up to 12 in. long and 1 1/2 in. wide with a pointed tip; leaves clasp the stem.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A terminal raceme 6 inches tall of 35 to 75 orange to yellow flowers on 1 to 2 foot tall stem. The individual flowers are about 1 in., three rounded sepals, two somewhat fringed upper petals, and the lower lip of the flower is deeply fringed. A long slender spur that curves downward from the base, exceeding the lip. Flowers appear from July to September opening from the bottom of the spike to the top and last for about a month.