Calanthe Kozu - Garden orchid

Calanthe Kozu x Tonk is a terrestrial orchid which is rarely offered for sale. It is a semi-hardy hybrid, with spring flowers that exhale a wonderful clove fragrance. The floral stem bears refined flowers of variable colour combinations, white and red, yellow and red, pink and red ... Each plant is unique. Its long green leaves form beautiful tufts. This hybrid calanthe is cultivated in a moist and sheltered understory, in shade or partial shade, in thick humus or in a pot to be overwintered and protected from heavy frosts. An exceptional plant, for the experienced gardener!

Calanthe Kozu x Tonk is the result of cross-breeding between the Calanthe discolor, native to the mountains of Japan, and the C. izu-insularis, a species that has become very rare in its native Japanese islands of Izu. Its cold resistance is -10°C (14°F), only for a short period. This plant develops from tightly packed pseudobulbs around a rhizome. In spring (from May to June), along 40-50 cm (16-20in) tall stems, it produces magnificent, remarkably scented flowers of variable colours. Each flower consists of 3 sepals and 3 petals, one of which is very distinct, called the labellum. It is often this flower part that is unusual in orchids. The labellum of the Calanthe Kozu x Tonk is wide, slightly curved downwards, tubular at the base, widening into 3 lobes. The leaves are semi-evergreen in winter, light green and pleated measuring 15-25 cm (6-10in) in length and 5-8 cm (2-3in) in width. The "rhizomatous" stump will slowly sucker to form beautiful tufts, allow at least 3 years before obtaining 4-5 inflorescences.

Install this wonderful Calanthe Kozu x Tonk in a protected location, in a light and humid understory, or even near water sources, in the company of arisaemas, ferns or hostas. This orchid likes acidic, humus-rich, and moist soils in summer, occasionally even waterlogged. It thrives in protected, bright places, but never in direct sunlight. In regions with mild winters, it will retain its foliage; elsewhere, its leaves will be damaged by frost and regenerate at the beginning of spring.