Pleione formosana, the Peacock Orchid is a small delicate terrestrial orchid from the montane forest floors of Taiwan and the three provinces of mainland China that are to the immediate west and northwest of Taiwan: Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi. It has an elegant lilac-pink flower with a white tubular mouth that has an exotic white fringe and attractive yellow and brown markings within. The usually solitary flower appears in April and May followed by a single bright green leaf with pronounced pleating.

It is an extremely easy orchid to grow but requires a frost-free location so can only be grown outside in the most favoured parts of the UK. It also needs to be kept dry in winter. If you are lucky enough to live in a warm location then a shady moist aspect with overhanging protection and a very free-draining substrate is an ideal microclimate for Pleione formosana.

Indoors it is a very tolerant plant and will overwinter well on a windowsill if kept dry during its dormancy. Pleione formosana makes an ideal houseplant, where its diminutive zen-like charms are readily appreciated.