,
Common Name: Chinese ground orchid
Type: Bulb
Family: Orchidaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Native Range: Japan, China, Tibet
Garden Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Pinkish-purple
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Culture
Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade. Some afternoon shade is essential in hot St. Louis summers. Plant corm-like pseudobulbs to 4” deep in spring. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture to plants for the remainder of the growing season. May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where a winter mulch is advisable. Will naturalize over time in optimum growing conditions by short rhizomes.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Chinese ground orchid is a terrestrial orchid which produces small, cattleya-like, pinkish-purple flowers (to 1.5” long) in 3-7 flowered racemes atop naked scapes typically rising to 18” tall. Blooms mid to late spring. Each pseudobulb typically produces 3-5, linear, pleated, papery-textured, sword-shaped, pale green leaves (to 12” long). Synonymous with Bletilla hyacinthina.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs and snails are occasional visitors.
Garden Uses
Best in part-shade areas of borders or rock gardens. Also may be grown in containers.