Alphabetical Plant Listing

Bletilla striata 'Alba' (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Hardy Orchid 'Alba', Chinese Ground Orchid 'Alba', Hyacinth Orchid 'Alba', Bletilla hyacinthina 'Alba', Bletia hyacinthina 'Alba', Bletia striata 'Alba'


Unlike many orchids, Bletilla striata 'Alba' (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, pure white flowers, 1 in. (2.5 cm). Borne in elegant racemes of 5-10 blossoms, they rise artfully above the foliage. Each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip. Blooming for about 4-6 weeks in early to mid-summer, the flowers open from the bottom of the raceme and progress to the top. Each pseudobulb produces 3-5 upright, pleated, sword-shaped, pale green leaves which add interest and distinction to the landscape from mid-spring until the frost cuts them down. Green seedheads follow the blooms, but gradually turn brown as they mature. As attractive in pots and containers as it is in beds and borders.

  • Grows in clumps up to 12-24 in. tall and wide (30-60 cm). This beauty will naturalize and spread modestly by creeping rhizomes and by seed dispersal in ideal growing conditions.
  • Easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils in part shade. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture to plants for the rest of the growing season. Provide mulch to discourage weed growth and conserve moisture.
  • Stunning in beds, borders, rock gardens, or containers.
  • Virtually disease free. Watch for aphids, glasshouse whitefly, and mealybugs.
  • To be planted in spring, 6 in. apart (15 cm) and 2-3 in. deep. Divide in early spring
  • Native to China, Japan, and Tibet

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Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 9
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Orchids
Plant Family Bletilla - Hardy Orchids
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Depth 2" – 3" (5cm – 7cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage

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Guides with Bletilla - Hardy Orchids


Todd Boland, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 9
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Bulbs, Orchids
Plant Family Bletilla - Hardy Orchids
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Depth 2" – 3" (5cm – 7cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage

Guides with Bletilla - Hardy Orchids

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