Amerorchis: The Elusive Northern Orchid Worth Admiring (From Afar)
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a native orchid gracing your garden, you’ve probably stumbled across Amerorchis in your research. This charming little orchid, commonly known as amerorchis or small round-leaved orchis, might seem like the perfect addition to your woodland garden. But before you start planning where to plant it, let’s dive into what makes this northern beauty both fascinating and frustrating for home gardeners.
What Is Amerorchis?
Amerorchis is a perennial forb—essentially a non-woody herbaceous plant that comes back year after year. Unlike your typical garden perennial, this little orchid has some very specific needs that make it quite the diva of the plant world. It’s a true native to North America, naturally occurring across a vast northern range that spans from Alaska to the northeastern United States.
Where Does Amerorchis Call Home?
This orchid has an impressive geographic distribution across the northern regions of North America. You can find it naturally growing in Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Labrador, and Newfoundland. That’s quite the traveling orchid!
The Appeal and the Challenge
Amerorchis is undeniably charming with its delicate pink to purple flowers and distinctive rounded basal leaves. It typically grows 4-10 inches tall, making it a perfect candidate for intimate woodland settings. The flowers appear in early summer, creating a subtle but striking display that would make any shade gardener’s heart skip a beat.
However—and this is a big however—Amerorchis is notoriously difficult to cultivate in home gardens. Like most orchids, it has formed intricate relationships with specific soil fungi (mycorrhizae) that are essential for its survival. Without these fungal partners, the orchid simply cannot thrive.
Growing Conditions and Hardiness
If you’re determined to try growing amerorchis (though I’d recommend reconsidering), here’s what it needs:
- USDA Hardiness Zones 2-6 (it loves the cold!)
- Cool, consistently moist but well-draining acidic soil
- Partial to full shade
- Specific mycorrhizal fungi in the soil
- Minimal disturbance once established
Why You Probably Shouldn’t Plant It
Here’s where I put on my responsible gardener hat: Amerorchis is extremely difficult to establish and maintain in cultivation. Most attempts to grow this orchid in home gardens fail, even when gardeners try to replicate its natural growing conditions. The complex soil ecosystem it requires is nearly impossible to recreate artificially.
Additionally, wild orchids should never be collected from their natural habitats. Not only is this often illegal, but it’s also harmful to wild populations and rarely successful anyway.
Better Alternatives for Your Shade Garden
Instead of struggling with amerorchis, consider these native shade-loving alternatives that are much more garden-friendly:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) for groundcover
- Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) for early spring flowers
- Trilliums for woodland elegance
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) for delicate blooms
The Bottom Line
Amerorchis is absolutely beautiful and plays an important role in its native ecosystems, likely providing nectar for various small pollinators and contributing to the biodiversity of northern forests and wetlands. However, it’s best appreciated in its natural habitat rather than in your garden.
If you’re lucky enough to encounter amerorchis during a hike through suitable habitat in its native range, take a moment to appreciate this remarkable little orchid. Snap a photo, enjoy its subtle beauty, and then leave it exactly where you found it. Sometimes the best way to garden with native plants is to let them stay wild where they belong.
Your shade garden will be much happier—and so will you—with more adaptable native plants that actually want to grow in cultivation. Save the orchid appreciation for nature walks, and save yourself the heartbreak of watching this northern beauty struggle in your garden.
