Orchid, Chinese Ground Orchid, Bletilla 'Chinese Butterfly'

Bletillaochracea

Family
Orchidaceae (or-kid-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Bletilla (bleh-TIL-uh)
Species
ochracea (oh-KRA-see-uh)
Synonym
Jimensia ochracea
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Textured
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
White/Near White
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Sacramento, California

San Francisco, California

Venus, Florida

Blackwood, New Jersey

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Beaufort, South Carolina

Bluffton, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Houston, Texas(2 reports)

Chesapeake, Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
0
neutral
0
negative
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D
west Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | June 2008 | positive

I think this is the best Bletilla species, at least it is my favorite; although all of them are really nice.

Will bloom f...Read More

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