#bletilla

Bletilla striata 'White Pearl' / 'White Pearl' Hardy Orchid at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

Bletilla striata / Chinese Ground Orchid at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

Bletilla striata / Chinese Ground Orchid at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

Not sure if it's normally an autumn bloomer but the leaves are starting to turn color. I'll do a separate post for that later

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Bletilla striata 'Big Bob' / 'Big Bob' Hyacinth Orchid at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

Bletilla striata, or Chinese ground orchid. Hardy to -9°C! (15°F). Very easygoing and I just grow it like a spring bulb

Bletilla striata is an orchid native to parts of Asia, including Japan, Korea, but most notably China which gives it the common name “Chinese ground orchid.” This terrestrial orchid grows well in many climatic zones, tolerating down to -20F and sometimes lower during its winter dormancy, but also thriving in climates where the winter low is 50 degrees warmer. The specific epithet refers to the striped leaves emerging from a buried pseudobulb, but I would have as easily thought it could refer to the frilled lip on the flower. While it is now largely grown for its aesthetic appeal and ease of cultivation, it has historically been used as a source of glue in traditional Chinese craft for which the pseudobulb of the plant is dried and ground up. Posting this as we head into fall, my plants of this species are going dormant with their leaves turning brown and dropping in a matter of days, only to return next year in greater numbers!