Bletilla striata Kuchi-beni - Hyacinth orchid

The Bletilla striata 'Kuchi-beni' is a beautiful hardy terrestrial orchid, one of the few that can be planted in the ground. Its large white flowers shaded with pink, in late spring, atop long plicate leaves, bring lightness and exoticism to semi-shaded borders, in a fresh and well-drained, humus-rich soil. It is also very beautiful 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, there are many hardy species. The orchids of the Bletilla genus, native to evergreen high-altitude forests in China, produce light green lanceolate and plicate leaves, slightly arched, with prominent veins, measuring 35 cm (14in) long and 5 cm (2in) wide.  Between May and June, tufts of slender spikes emerge, bearing several large flowers. They are typical of the family, with a large central petal modified into a "throat" called the lip. It spreads slowly through short rhizomes, eventually forming a more or less sparse clump depending on the soil fertility.

Bletilla 'Kuchi-beni' has flowers that are slightly shaded white with a violet-pink tip on the lip. It is a very bright plant in light shade, reaching about 50 cm (20in) in height and width under good conditions.

Robust, Bletilla striata 'Kuchi-beni' is hardy to at least -15°C (5°F), but it has some requirements for proper growth: it first requires perfectly drained soil: if water does not drain well during winter, the rhizomes can rot. It particularly appreciates woodland conditions, i.e. a moist, lightly shaded or dappled sunlight,  humus-rich, slightly acidic soil with little lime. Full sun is detrimental to it as it damages the foliage. The plant completely disappears during winter and emerges quite late, so make sure to mark its location to avoid damaging it when digging! In colder regions, it is advisable to mulch the stump to protect it.

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', or planting it at the base of trees like Acer griseum, Magnolia delavayi or Aralia elata 'Silver Umbrella'. It can be planted in a pot as well as along the edge of a pond - as long as the drainage is adequate.