Bletilla striata Shi-Ran (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Unlike many orchids, Bletilla striata 'Shi-Ran' (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, purple-pink flowers, 2 in. (5 cm). Borne in elegant racemes of up to 7 orchids, they rise artfully above the foliage. Each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip. Blooming for about 4-6 weeks in late spring to early summer, the flowers open from the bottom of the raceme and progress to the top. Each pseudobulb produces 3-5 upright, slender, pleated, sword-shaped, pale green leaves which add interest and distinction to the landscape from mid-spring until the frost cuts them down. Green seedheads follow the blooms, but gradually turn brown as they mature. As attractive in pots and containers as it is in beds and borders.

• Grows in clumps up to 12-24 in. tall and wide (30-60 cm). This beauty will naturalize and spread modestly by creeping rhizomes and by seed dispersal in ideal growing conditions.
• Easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils in part shade. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture to plants for the rest of the growing season. Provide mulch to discourage weed growth and conserve moisture.
• Stunning in beds, borders, rock gardens, or containers.
• Virtually disease free. Watch for aphids, glasshouse whitefly, and mealybugs.
• To be planted in spring, 6 in. apart (15 cm) and 2-3 in. deep. Divide in early spring
• Native to China, Japan, and Tibet