This slender orchis can be found occasionally in the lime marshes of the northern part of middle Europe. It became nearly extinct in the south of middle Europe.

It's an extremely beautiful and elegant orchis with many big blossoms grouped loosely on a stem which can grow up to one meter high.

South of the Alps, a similar species, Orchis laxiflora, replaces Orchis palustris. It grows on similar places, but can't bear much frost.

Orchis palustris can easily be cultivated although growing them from seeds is difficult. I have owned such an orchis for many years. It likes a wet place near the edge of a pond. In the spring it likes prolific watering. When it starts to retracts the leaves, however, not much more water should be given.
The natural biotopes of O. palustris tend to fall dry completely in the summer. The problem is that suitable biotopes are so isolated that this species will probably fade and die in the nature. Using plants from garden cultures to refresh extinct populations would make sense here.