Bletilla sp
James Waddick (Wed, 15 Jun 2005 07:07:29 PDT)

Dear All;
B. striata is a fairly common garden plant here. It is
available at most garden centers and a no-brainer. I've had clumps in
full sun and full shade for years. Typical purple or white flowers,
white edge-foliage and one named sort with a bright purple lip (name
evades me).
It is subject to late spring frosts and may loose a few
flowers, but easy almost anywhere (all clay soils). It persists and
multiplies slowly.

It is very common in parts of China and I have seen small
children collect flowers along the road side in Sichuan. I recall
they just pull up the flower stem with a leaf or two attached. When
they have their arms full they go to market. Of course in Sichuan it
gets about 4 times taller than it does here.

I have tried a few other species and hybrids -all with
'yellow' flowers - and none survive, but I believe B. striata is the
most northern species. There's around 10 sp. in the genus and they
should all do well in milder climates.

Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +