Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 (perhaps in protected areas of Zone 6) where plants are best grown in rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in part-shade. Tolerates full shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Calanthe is a genus consisting of about 150 species of evergreen to semi-evergreen orchids (mostly terrestrial but rarely epiphytic), which are native from China and Japan through tropical and sub-tropical parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, southern Africa and Australia. Leaves are deciduous or evergreen.
Genus name comes from the Greek words kalos meaning beautiful and anthos meaning a flower.
‘Kozu Spice’ plants were originally hybridized (Calanthe discolor x Calanthe izuy-insularis) for use in Japanese flower shows. Flower stalks rise to 8-12” tall in spring bearing racemes of rich, bi-color flowers most often appearing in combinations of red/white, yellow/red or pink/red. Flowers have a clove-like aroma. Pleated, evergreen leaves usually survive all but the coldest winters within its growing range.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Excellent orchid for shade garden conditions. Woodland gardens. Containers.