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Bletilla striata

Also Known As

Bletia gebina
Bletia striata
Bletilla elegantula
Bletilla gebina
Bletilla hyacinthina
Bletilla hyancinthina
Chinese Ground Orchid
Hardy Ground Orchid

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, orchid

size

H: 12"-15"
W: 36"-48"

planting zones

6a-9b

More Options

Bletilla striata plant details

Bletilla striata is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber or orchid with green foliage. In spring and summer lavender and magenta flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Bletilla striata

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber or orchid
Plant family: orchidaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 36 IN - 48 IN - wide, 12 IN - 15 IN - tall
Flowers: lavender and magenta blooms in spring and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, cutting garden, rare, showy, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Bletilla striata

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Bletilla striata is an easy terrestrial orchid native to China and Japan. It produces elegant, cattleya-like, pinkish-purple flowers in groups of three to seven on stems rising to 18 inches tall. The leaves are arching, broad, pleated, and grass-like. Plants will form colonies over time that can be used an accent or small scale ground cover. Best in part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This ground orchid will make large clumps in semi shade. We have literally dozens of flowering stems every spring (June). The flowers are bright purple pink orchids along the stems.

By: Gossler Farms

This beautiful and extremely easy-care terrestrial orchid has erect 18" flower stems topped with racemes of large lavender-purple blossoms. The blossoms are incredibly intricate and quite delicate looking perched above the grassy blade-like leaves. Found natively on the margins of thickets in China and Japan, where it is happy it will slowly spread by psuedobulbs to create a clump; take care to not plant too deeply. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Rare, seldom offered, very choice HARDY perennial orchid! 12-14" tall stems emerge in late spring topped with pouting lipped, delicate looking orchids in lavender or white. Will eventually form a 3-4' wide colony in a light shade or morning sun exposure in loose garden soils. Easy to grow, undemanding and very popular!

By: Secret Garden Growers

Zn 5. Hardy ground orchid. Pink-purple blooms.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Gardeners tend to be curious and happy experimenting with new plants. Case in point, these hardy orchids. Orchids in the garden are not usually viable options for colder climates but Bletilla are tough. Happiest in partial or dappled shade, these little darlings add a touch of the unreal, "Hey are those. . .?"

By: Leafari

Plant sends up prolific flowering spikes up to 3’ and covered in beautiful glowing rose lavender blooms, this is my favorite orchid hands down. Hardiness Zone 6 – 10. How to grow and care for Bletilla Orchids in the landscape: A deciduous terrestrial wild orchid commonly called the chinese orchid or the hardy orchid is well suited to woodland gardens, with blossoms that resemble little Cattleyas opening in June and July. The clusters of long-lasting flowers on slender stems and the deeply veined, Iris-like leaves arise from tuber-shaped rootstocks (corm-like pseudobulbs).

By: Florida Hill Nursery

A wonderful bulbous terrestrial orchid that is native from Japan through China to Tibet. Flowers resemble a purple Cymbidium; it is hardy with protection here. ZONE 5

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Hardy Orchid (Bletilla striata) is a great plant for woodland areas. In late spring a beautiful display of lavender flowers are produced. Can be used as a ground cover but is a little slow to fill in. Grows to height of 18 to 24 inches tall.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Blooms: spring-summer, magenta/ strap like foliage Zone 6-9. 12"-24", China, part shade-sun, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Lavender Pink. Of all of the terrestrial orchids, none are easier to grow than bletillas. These durable and hardy spring flowering orchids prefer a slightly moist or rich garden soil. About the only thing they don’t like is bone dry soil and full sun. If you have always thought that orchids were difficult to grow, give a bletilla a try. These orchids grow in the dirt! They are easy to grow and hardy to zone 6 (zone 5 with mulch). Bletilla Striata is native to Japan and China. This is an offer for three tubers with 2-3 growing points each. They are beautiful and will multiply! Plant in moist, well drained soil. Plant in pots or in ground under high branching trees. Soil should be high in organic matter. Blooms best when crowded. Water frequently. Produces 1-2 inch flowers for about six weeks in late spring and early summer. An established clump will have upwards of 50 blooms open at any time during this period. These are about a foot tall.

Bletilla striata plant details

CHARACTERISTICS OF Bletilla striata

GROWING CONDITIONS for Bletilla striata

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Garden photo gallery of Bletilla striata

Gardening facts about Bletilla striata plant

How to Grow Bletilla striata

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