Across the UK there are several native spotted or marsh orchids, which typically grow in open sites and produce their many-flowered spikes of typically pink flowers during spring. Foliage often lance-shaped and may be spotted with purple. Other species from the Mediterranean, like D. foliosa, the Madeiran orchid make good ornamental garden plants. Sun to part-shade.
Dactylorhiza orchids have typically insect-pollinated flowers. Bees including honeybees are attracted by the nectar in the spur and the sugary exudates from the stigma.