One of the real treasures in the genus bletilla is the Chinese Bletilla ochracea. Although not as winter hardy as its cousin Bletilla striata, it more than makes up for this with its stunning jewel-like flowers. The 20" wispy flower stalks emerge from below-ground pseudobulbs and top the iris-like pleated leaves in June. Each flower stalk is topped with 3-5 small, creamy yellow flowers, each highlighted with a purple and yellow speckled lip. Bletilla ochracea is a slow grower, more finicky than Bletilla striata...moist rich soil and morning sun or high filtered light shade are best. This is a particularly vigorous, precocious flowering seed strain introduced by Linda Guy of Carolina Nursery.
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
