Bletilla striata alba - Chinese Ground Orchid

Bletilla striata alba is the pure white flowered form, quite rare, of the Hyacinth Orchid, a relatively hardy species in many regions. This pretty variety, less prolific and less vigorous than the species, remains in bloom for 3 weeks at the beginning of summer. The flowering, particularly graceful, dominates a beautiful clump of large, plicate light green leaves. A trouble-free plant, it will fill your visitors with admiration, convinced that growing an orchid is a professional affair!

The hyacinth orchid, also known as Bletilla hyacinthina, is a herbaceous geophyte plant with flattened pseudo-bulbs belonging to the orchid family. It is native to Japan, China, and Tibet. The alba variety is distinguished by its immaculate white flowers and slightly shorter flower stems. The plant produces young shoots from April onwards, which unfold into a bouquet of long, oblong to lanceolate, plicate leaves, about thirty centimeters long. In June-July, green flower stems, 30cm (12in) tall, rise up, bearing 6 to 10 flowers, 3cm (1in) in diameter. Each flower is composed of 4 petals surrounding a tubular lip. After flowering for about a month, the flowers disappear, while the foliage persists until November. The plant then goes into dormancy until spring. The plant slowly multiplies by forming pseudo-bulbs, eventually forming beautiful dense clumps over 50cm (20in) wide. Unlike the majority of other species, this orchid does not seem to live in symbiosis with a specific fungus, making it easy to establish in the garden.

A gem for enthusiasts of original plants, this Bletilla striata alba is easy to grow under favourable conditions (humus-rich and moist soil) and is therefore best suited for experienced gardeners. It can be used in borders, cool rockeries, woodland areas, or even in pots. In a woodland setting or near a pond, it will accompany hostas, Trilliums, Solomon's Seals, and ferns. It adapts well to both humid climates and the warmer regions of our country, where regular watering is necessary. It thrives in the shade of low-growing bushes such as santolines, Cherry laurel 'Otto Luykens', boxwood, or Myrtus tarentina. Beautiful clumps of these plants are naturalized in the Albert Kahn garden in Boulogne Billancourt.