Plant Min Zone: 6a
Plant Max Zone: 9a
Sunlight: Part Sun, Shade
Water / Rainfall: Average, High
Soil Quality: Rich
Bloom Season: Spring, Early Summer
Flower Color: Pink, Reddish Purple
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green, Yellow
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: No
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Low, Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Medium, High
Wind Tolerance: Low
Poor Soil Tolerance: No Extreme Soils
Height: 0.75' - 1'
Width: 1' - 1.5'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Medium
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Perennial to Ground Around First Fall Freeze: No Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: East Exposure, South Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Base of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Large Tropical Foliage / Flowers, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease, Snails / Slugs, Weed Competition
Plant Limitations: May get Occasional Winter-kill, Needs Thick Winter Mulch, Needs Regular Irrigation
Hardy Ground Orchid (Bletilla striata) is planted for its attractive green foliage with and amazing spring flower display of pink and magenta "orchid-like" flowers. Foliage maintains well all season provided that certain cultural conditions are met. Native to Chinese forests with humusy, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade, it needs constantly moist to average soil rich in organic matter but avoid clay. If low temperatures hit -10 degrees F, it may kill an un-mulched plant; protect any zone 6 perennial with thick layer of mulch. I have occasionally seen entire plantings wiped out at -10 to15 degrees F with no mulch or snow cover. Good late summer flowering shade plant which mixes well with hostas and ferns in the shade garden. Generally this plant has declined after a few years in our Kansas display garden but worth a try in perfect soils in well-tended shade gardens.