Calanthe discolor

RHS Plant Profile
two-coloured calanthe

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two-coloured calanthe RHS
two-coloured calanthe RHS / Joanna Kossak

Other common names

Japanese hardy orchid

Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse

A terrestrial orchid with oblong, evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves up to 30cm long. In spring it produces sprays of up to 10 brown and white flowers, variably-flushed with green or pale pink

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

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

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Calanthe are evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous orchids that may be terrestrial or epiphytic. They have corm-like pseudobulbs and basal clusters of pleated leaves. Loose racemes of showy flowers with 3-lobed lips may appear, on erect stems, in spring, summer or winter
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Japan, Korea, China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in terrestrial orchid compost in bright, filtered light with high humidity. Outdoors grow in coarse, well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sheltered site in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division or cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, orchid scale insect, glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass; outdoors protect from slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free