Bletilla striata - hardy ground orchid - 'Kate' - 1 gallon

Chinese ground orchid is a perennial flowering bulb in the orchid family that grows to a height of 1 to 1 1/2 feet and spreads about 1 foot wide. This plant is a great addition to a partial shade area of the garden with moderate moisture and substantial organic matter in the soil. Its beautiful, fan-like pleated leaves are showy in the spring through the summer. In addition, this plant produces orchid-like, downward-facing purple flowers.

The Chinese Ground Orchid requires damp, well-drained, often enriched, soil and prefers a sheltered site in light shade. It does not tolerate wet soils. This plant may not be reliably winter hardy through very cold winters. Apply a good organic mulch in the late autumn or lift the bulbs and store them dry in a frost free place for planting in spring, no more than 4 inches deep in the soil.

Orchids, in general, are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid.