Hyacinth Orchid Bletilla striata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- bleh-TIL-ah stry-AY-tah
- Description
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Chinese ground orchid is a terrestrial, herbaceous perennial in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to the grassy slopes of central and southern Japan and the cool mountain slopes of China. The specific epithet, striata, means striped and refers to the stripes and ridges on the lip.
The Chinese Ground Orchid requires damp, well-drained, often enriched, soil and prefers a sheltered site in light shade. It does not tolerate wet soils. This plant may not be reliably winter hardy through very cold winters. Apply a good organic mulch in the late autumn or lift the bulbs and store them dry in a frost free place for planting in spring, no more than 4 inches deep in the soil. The flowers are produced from corm-like pseudobulbs which serve as nutrient storage for overwintering. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture to plants for the remainder of the growing season. This plant makes a good container plant for zones north of USDA Zone 5. Propagate the plant by division in the fall.
This plant is a great addition to a partial shade area of the garden with moderate moisture and substantial organic matter in the soil. Its beautiful, fan-like pleated leaves are showy in the spring through the summer. In addition, this plant produces delicate, downward-facing purple flowers.
Diseases, Insect Pests, Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or pests. Slugs and snails are an occasional problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bletilla
- Species:
- striata
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The hyacinth orchid is an important wound herb in China.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Asia, China to Central and Southern Japan
- Bulb Storage:
- Store pseudobulbs in a cool, dry place.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 7 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- This plant has small, cattleya orchid-like purplish-pink (or deep rose or white) flowers on raceme atop naked scapes typically rising to 18 inches spring to early summer. This plant produces orchid-like, downward-facing purple flowers. Its sprays of orchid-like flowers add special appeal.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has 3-5 pale green, 12 inch long swordlike leaves with shallow pleats produced from pseudobulb. Beautiful, fan-like, pleated leaves are showy. Foliage dies back in the winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
