Bletilla striata Blue

Bletilla striata 'Blue' is a rare variety of hyacinth orchid. It is one of the easiest terrestrial orchids to grow, suitable for gardeners starting their orchid collection. It produces typical flowers, of an intriguing blue colour, on loose clusters of shiny green foliage. It is adapted to a woodland edge environment and likes non-scorching sunlight or partial shade in moist, light, humus-bearing soil.

Bletilla striata 'Blue' belongs to the orchid family. It is native to Japan, where it is also called "Blue Hyacinth Orchid". It grows from semi-buried pseudobulbs, resembling tubers that form a 45 cm long arc. This plant forms a trailing clump from spring onwards, composed of broad, arching, and slightly soft leaves. It produces small, fully open flowers in summer, in June-July, depending on the climate, on stems reaching 60 cm high. The flowers are a true cold blue, slightly lavender. The flower consists of 3 sepals and 3 petals, one of which is called the lip. It is often this floral part that is astonishing in orchids. The lip of 'Blue' is white, spotted with darker blue-violet. The deciduous leaves are medium green, beautifully pleated, up to 30 cm long and 5 to 7 cm wide. The plant produces seeds that seem to produce plants identical to the parent plant.

'Blue', like all other Bletilla striata, is cold-resistant to -20°C and easier to grow than other species, as its planting conditions are less demanding. It requires soil that remains moist, humus-bearing, and well-drained, in protected, bright locations, but sheltered from the scorching sun. Its leaves will disappear due to frost but will regenerate in early spring. The rhizomatous clump will slowly sucker to form beautiful clusters. Plant Bletilla striata 'Blue' in light and moist woodland or even near water features, alongside hostas, ferns, brunneras, or even barrenworts. Bletilla can also be grown in pots to enhance your terraces, in partial shade, but they should be stored indoors during cold climates in winter.