Whorled lousewort
Pedicularis verticillata · Orobanchaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant whorled lousewort: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Form
- Herbaceous
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Summer (June to August)
- Mature height
- 30 to 60 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (alpine mountain)
- Origin
- Alps and central European mountains
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fresh, slightly acidic
Care
Exposure
Plant the whorled lousewort in a sunny to partially shaded position, preferably at altitude or in a cool climate. It appreciates well-ventilated locations and dislikes excessive summer heat.
Watering
Keep the soil fresh but never waterlogged, especially during spring growth and flowering. In its natural mountain habitat, it benefits from regular precipitation; adjust watering to your climate.
Soil
Prepare a substrate rich in organic matter, well-drained and slightly acidic. Adding compost or leaf mould facilitates establishment. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Pruning and tidying
Remove faded flowers to extend blooming. At the end of the season, cut back stems after fruiting. No structural pruning is necessary; this plant grows naturally with little intervention.
Fertiliser
A moderate application of balanced fertiliser in spring is sufficient. Alpine plants generally prefer rather poor soils; avoid excess nitrogen, which would encourage foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
The whorled lousewort is generally robust. Watch for rot in cases of excessive moisture. No major pests are reported; the plant's natural hardiness protects it well.
Did you know?
The whorled lousewort belongs to a fascinating genus whose name evokes lice (Pedicularis = from pediculus). Long ago, people believed these plants harboured parasites from animals that grazed on them. In reality, certain species in this genus are semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants, a unique nutritional strategy in the alpine plant world.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Meadow cowwheatMelampyrum pratense
- Yellow rattleRhinanthus minor
- Pedicularis palustrisPedicularis palustris
- Melampyrum sylvaticumMelampyrum sylvaticum
- Red bartsiaOdontites vernus
- Marsh lousewortPedicularis sylvatica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.