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: 2' - 3'
Width: 1.5' - 2'
Growth Rate: Slow, Medium
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Medium
Spreading Potential: 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 to 15 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. Big Bob Hardy Ground Orchid (Bletilla striata 'Big Bob') has taller foliage upto 3' and bigger flowers. Our trail plant was originally purchased at Bustani Plant Farm in Stillwater, Oklahoma,