Bletilla striata is pronounced bleh-TIL-ah stry-AY-tah. Such a musical moniker for a lovely spring-blooming orchid. Common names are Hardy Orchid, Ground Orchid, Chinese Ground Orchid. All three are accurate. They are hardy in Zones 5 to 9. They are “terrestrial,” meaning they grow in soil. And they are native to China, Korea and Japan.
Hardy orchids spring from a bulb (a pseudo-bulb, actually, but the distinction is unimportant). Their pleated leaves emerge in earliest spring and are often zapped by late freezes. The damaged foliage doesn’t impact the blooms. The leaves are unusual in that the veins run from base to tip in a fan-like arrangement. Downward-facing purple blooms have markings similar to cattleya orchids, with up to 18 flowers on each wiry stem. A white type is available also, but it is not as vigorous as the purple form. A mature clump will produce numerous bloom stems. The flowering period lasts for several weeks.
Plants thrive in rich, moist but well-drained soil, and reproduce readily, meaning they naturalize into attractive clumps. Divide clumps when the number of bloom stems starts to decline. Individual plants reach heights of 12 - 18 inches. These show-offs are easily grown in partial shade. They will also perform well in containers. Cut stems to ground in winter for a neat appearance when the new leaves emerge in the spring. Mulch well in cold-winter areas. Do not allow soil to dry completely or flowering will be reduced.
Tiny orchid-like flowers
A photo in early spring, before the flowers open. Note the tips of the leaves show damage from a late freeze.
A healthy clump