Chinese Ground Orchid

(8-12” tall x 10” wide) Planting the Chinese Ground Orchid – Bletilla striata ‘Pink’ – is a lovely way of incorporating a member of this large, beautiful plant family into your own garden. Growing orchids in the garden isn’t as tough as it sounds – Chinese Ground Orchid is one of the easiest to grow, and remarkably hardy. In climates colder than Zone 5, grow this beauty by cultivating it in a pot and bringing it into a frost-free area for the winter. Bletilla striata ‘Pink’ is perfectly suited to the rich, loamy soils of the woodland garden, or to a partially shaded bed in more open conditions. Water regularly. Strappy, pleated foliage emerges very early in the season and in time is joined by 3-7 flowering racemes that hold 8-12 pink flowers. You’ll instantly recognize them as members of the orchid family! Blossoms last for 2-3 weeks, but when they’re gone, the foliage remains as a strong vertical accent, much like Iris. Clumps grow with time and create pseudobulbs that you can pot up and use to increase your stock.