Bletilla (Hardy Orchids)
Bletilla are deciduous terrestrial perennial orchids boasting attractively pleated, linear to lance-shaped leaves, and erect racemes of bell-shaped flowers in spring and summer. The delicate flowers vary in color from white to purple to yellow. The genus includes five currently recognized species distributed through China, Japan, Taiwan, and south to Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. Bletilla striata (Chinese Ground Orchid), Bletilla formosana (Taiwan Ground Orchid), and Bletilla ochracea (Chinese Butterfly Orchid) are 3 popular hardy species of orchids grown by gardeners in temperate climate areas. They grow from pseudobulbs that resemble spreading corms and usually sit at ground level. A well-established clump of these in flower is quite beautiful and rewarding.
Bletilla Growth Cycle
Guide Information
| Hardiness | 5 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 5 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2B, 3A, 3B |
| Plant Type | Bulbs |
| Plant Family | Bletilla – Hardy Orchids |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
| Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |