Bletilla striata

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese ground orchid

Other common names

common bletilla, hyacinth orchid, shi-ran

Synonyms

Bletilla striata 'Shi-ran'
Bletia hyacinthina
Bletia striata
Bletilla hyacinthina

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free