Bletilla
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- bleh-TIL-ah
- Description
-
This is a semi-hard terrestrial orchid which can be grown in beds, borders, or pots. Plant corm-like pseudobulbs to 4” deep in spring. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture until the leaves die down. Needs to be mulched in winter in colder climates.
Watch for aphids, white flies and mealy bugs.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Dry Stream Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Albostriata'
- 'Albo Striata'
- B. ochracea
- 'First Kiss'
- 'Albostriata'
- 'Albostriata', 'Albo Striata', B. ochracea , 'First Kiss'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Albostriata'
- 'Albo Striata'
- B. ochracea
- 'First Kiss'
- 'Albostriata'
- 'Albostriata', 'Albo Striata', B. ochracea , 'First Kiss'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bletilla
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern Indo-China to Temp. E. Asia
- Bulb Storage:
- Store corms in moist peat at 32-35 degrees F (0-2 degrees C)
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Produces small cattleya-like pink-purple blooms in racemes of up to 12 blooms. Blooms a 2 inches wide.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Produces 3-5 upright, pleated, sword-shaped leaves up to 12 inches long.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
