Bletilla striata Alba Variegata - Hyacinth orchid

The Bletilla striata 'Alba Variegata' is a beautiful hardy garden orchid, one of the few that can be planted in the ground. Its large white flowers in late spring, atop long variegated white pleated leaves, bring lightness and exoticism to partially shaded borders, in a cool and well-drained, humus-bearing soil. It is also stunning in a pot or at the edge of a pond.

Bletilla belongs to the Orchidaceae family, which includes over 25,000 species distributed worldwide - making it one of the largest botanical families today. While we are more accustomed to seeing orchids growing on bark in warm greenhouses and conservatories, many garden and hardy species exist. Orchids of the Bletilla genus, native to evergreen high-altitude forests in China, produce lanceolate light green leaves, which are pleated, slightly arched, with prominent veins, measuring 35 cm long and 5 cm wide. Between May and June, slender stems emerge, bearing several large flowers. They are typical of the family, with a large central petal modified into a "tunnel" called the labellum. It spreads slowly through short rhizomes, eventually forming a more or less sparse clump depending on the soil's fertility.

The 'Alba Variegata' variety features pure white flowers, and the foliage is also variegated with white along its margin. It is a bright plant in light shade, reaching about 30 cm in height and width or even more after several years.

Robust, the Bletilla striata 'Alba Variegata' is hardy to at least -15°C, but it has some requirements for proper growth: it first requires a perfectly drained soil; if water does not drain well during winter, the rhizomes can rot. It particularly appreciates woodland conditions, meaning a cool, lightly shaded, rich, humus-bearing, and slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. Full sun is detrimental to it as it damages the foliage. The plant completely disappears during winter and emerges quite late, so mark its location to avoid an unfortunate spade blow! In colder regions, it is advisable to mulch the stump for protection.

You can create an exotic-looking border by combining it with other perennials such as Asian Epimediums (Epimedium davidii, E. 'Amber Queen', E. 'Domino'...), Arisaema, Saruma henryi, ferns like Dryopteris sieboldii or Athyrium 'Pewter Lace', all at the base of trees like Acer griseum, Magnolia delavayi, or Aralia elata 'Silver Umbrella'. You can plant it in a pot and at the edge of a pond, as long as the drainage is sufficient.

Bletilla belongs to the Orchidaceae family, which includes over 25,000 species distributed worldwide - making it one of the most prominent botanical families today. While we are more accustomed to seeing orchids growing on bark in warm greenhouses and conservatories, many garden and hardy species exist. Orchids of the Bletilla genus, native to evergreen high-altitude forests in China, produce lanceolate light green leaves, which are pleated, slightly arched, with prominent veins, measuring 35 cm long and 5 cm wide. Between May and June, slender stems emerge, bearing several large flowers. They are typical of the family, with a large central petal modified into a "tunnel" called the labellum. It spreads slowly through short rhizomes, eventually forming a more or less sparse clump depending on the soil's fertility.