Bletilla striata is
garden hardy. It took a bit for me to get used to
the idea but some orchids can grow in the ground, and quite well at that. The survival
factor is much higher with well drained soil but Bletilla can handle a moderate amount of
summer water. Winter in our area is unlikely to be a problem, Bletilla
striata is hardy to well below zero. Bletilla striata produces
beautiful purple flowers in the early spring for about 6 weeks. This clump will
have upwards of 50 blooms open at any time during that period. Bletilla
striata is about a foot
tall. I have seen Bletilla striata growing in the sun, but
my most successful plantings have been in an area that was protected from
the mid-day sun. There is a white variety of this plant, Bletilla
striata alba.
High resolution images of
Bletilla striata are available.
