Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

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Product Code: DRO

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Product Description

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain - Goodyera Pubescens

Plant the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain In Your Garden

Want a beautiful and unique ground-covering plant to showcase in your woodland garden? The Downy Rattlesnake Plantain is the perfect choice. This evergreen is a member of the orchid family and was recognized as Wildflower of the Year in 2016. It takes its name from its broad and rounded leaves that are similar to the common lawn weed known as plantain.

A special feature characterizing this plant are the very fine downy hairs that cover every inch of the plant, especially its bloom spike that produces delicate white flowers in July and August. This plant is considered one of the most common species of orchid native to the eastern region of the United States. It's naturally found in the wild in the acidic and sandy soils of coniferous and deciduous forests, so it's the perfect ground cover for the woody shaded areas of your garden.

Goodyera Pubescens thrives nicely in dappled sunlight conditions and grows best in acidic soil that has been fortified with organic matter and a layer of mulch to ensure that the plant gets enough moisture. Because wild collection of this plant is ill advised, it's best to secure these Downy Rattlesnake Plantains for your own home garden from our nursery, where they have been grown under ideal growing conditions to be strong and healthy. We are also happy to answer your questions and help you determine the proper placement and growing conditions of this beautiful orchid variety for your own woodland garden.

Downy Rattlesnake plantain is an orchid that is very common in the United States.

Its evergreen leaves have distinct white or pale streaks making them easy to distinguish. This unique plant is a treasure for avid gardeners across the country. The Rattlesnake Orchid likes partially shaded areas with moist, well drained soil. USDA Zones 4-10

This plant ships bareroot but it is a full plant at time of shipment. Not a bulb.

Customer Reviews

5.0 Based on 15 reviews

Write a Review

4
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Apr 25, 2025 Reviewer: Jean

Plants arrived with a couple of small leaves and were planted in a prepared bed. Now just waiting to see them grow!
5
Rattlesnake Orchid

Oct 19, 2024 Reviewer: Kathy Craddock

My rattlesnake orchids arrived in perfect condition. They are now planted and I am looking forward to seeing them grow in my small native orchid garden that I just started.
4
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Sep 20, 2024 Reviewer: Ken

Looks very good on arrival. I wish they had included more information about planting and growing conditions
5
So excited about these native orchids!

Aug 11, 2024 Reviewer: Ilene Dube

It was a hot summer night, and I was perusing various native plant sites when I learned about the downy rattlesnake plantain orchid, native to my region (Zone 7). It was my first order from Native Wildflowers Nursery, and it won't be my last -- the plants arrived rapidly with good instructions. The plants are sturdy and healthy, and I planted them immediately, watering as instructed and surrounded with some chips of Irish Spring soap to repel any potential predators until the plants establish themselves. Also put one aside to grow indoors. These are just the thing for my shady location with acidic soil.
5
Goodyera pubescens

Jun 26, 2024 Reviewer: Shirlie Pinkham

Just got a pack of 10; all look good and viable. Will plant them once our brutal heat wave ends. Two I bought two years ago are still alive and ready to bloom - so exciting to see this rare-around-here plant flower. I knew what they were on sight, fortunately, because I could not read the writing on the baggie. No other complaints.