Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
Bletilla Hardy Garden Orchid is a delightful addition to any garden, reaching a height of 12 to 14 inches and blooming for up to 10 weeks in late spring and early summer. Its charming pinkish purple, cattleya-like flowers are displayed on erect racemes, framed by slender, pale green, papery leaves that stay fresh and vibrant until the first frost. This orchid's graceful beauty is perfect for patio pots, garden borders, or a vase.
Known as Bletilla striata, hardy garden orchid, or Chinese ground orchid, this clump-forming perennial (Zones 5-9) thrives in a variety of environments, from the edges of forests to grassy meadows. Its adaptability makes it an excellent choice for shaded gardens, beds, and containers, where it spreads gently over time.
Hardy garden orchids are incredibly easy to care for, flourishing in partially sunny, sheltered locations with rich, well-draining soil. They are drought tolerant, resistant to diseases, and low maintenance. For gardeners in Zone 5, adding a thick mulch layer ensures winter hardiness.
To plant, place Bletilla Hardy Garden Orchid bulbs 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart in the spring for best results.
