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Conservatory Greenhouse

Bletilla striata

Chinese ground orchid

Forms a clump of ribbed, sword-shaped leaves, with erect stems bearing several pink, fragrant orchid-shaped flowers, to 5cm wide, opening in spring and early summer

Other common names
hyacinth orchid
shi-ran
see moreChinese ground orchid
Synonyms
Bletilla striata 'Shi-ran'
Bletia hyacinthina
see moreBletia striata
Bletilla hyacinthina

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Pink Green
Summer Green Pink Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Bletilla are deciduous terrestrial perennial orchids with tuber-like pseudobulbs, ribbed, linear to lance-shaped leaves, and erect racemes of bell-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China to Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould, in bright filtered or bright indirect light. In summer water freely, applying a quarter strength balanced liquid fertiliser at every third watering. Keep dry in winter

Propagation

Divide in early spring, when plant is large enough

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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