Few plants will tolerate very dark dry shade as well as the hardy calanthe orchids. Unlike many hardy orchids for sale, calanthe orchids are very easy-to-grow shade perennials that multiply into very large clumps. Calanthe have magnificent flowers that often boast a clove-like fragrance. All of the calanthe orchids for sale at Plant Delights are nursery propagated from seed....a 7 year or longer process. This is time-consuming, but necessary for the long term sustainability of this group of hardy orchids in the wild. In the garden, you should have a nice showy clump within 3 years.
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Although you may be under the impression that hardy orchids are hard to grow, calanthe are not. Calanthe orchids prefer light shade and will flower best in slightly moist, rich garden soil. Calanthe are fairly drought-tolerant and can survive well during medium length dry periods. Calanthe flowers are small but plentiful and very colorful; the long spikes carry dozens of flowers in shades of yellow, pink, red and white. The leaves on some calanthe species are semi-evergreen and will remain green until temperatures dip into the single digits. When you are ready to buy hardy calanthe orchids for your woodland shade garden, check out our listing of calanthe orchids for sale below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Calanthe aristulifera is one of the rarest of the Japanese endemic species from the mountains of Japan's Kyushu island. Calanthe aristulifera forms an 18" wide clump of pleated, evergreen leaves topped in mid-spring with 15" tall flower spikes lined with small light pink flowers. We find a slightly moist organic-rich soil is best, although these are extraordinarily drought-tolerant. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We finally have enough of this Japanese native hardy woodland orchid to share. Calanthe discolor emerges from the pseudobulb with 2-3 heavily pleated 6" long x 2" wide leaves. As the bulb offsets, the clumps can get quite thick. The foliage, which is evergreen to 15 degrees F, is topped in mid-spring with 10" stalks of tiny mahogany flowers with pure white lower lips...a very easy-to-grow addition to that special spot in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Calanthe striata) This hard-to-find Japanese native terrestrial orchid has been a superb performer and one of our favorite calanthes. The evergreen foliage (except below 10 degrees F) composes a vigorous 6" tall x 15" wide clump of deeply pleated leaves. In spring, the bloom stalks rise from the ground to reach 15". Along the scape are dozens of small pansy-like flowers of bright yellow...quite stunning. Calanthes prefer well-drained, slightly moist woodland conditions and are proven to be quite easy to grow. After severe winters, they may be very late to emerge. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Imagine an easy-to-grow, beautiful, yellow-flowered orchid that would be hardy in your woodland garden! These Asian hybrids are a seed strain developed from crosses of Calanthe discolor and Calanthe sieboldii. Calanthe Takane hybrids make tropical-looking clumps of 8" long x 2" wide pleated green leaves. In spring, the clumps are topped with 8" long stalks of flowers that blend yellow, orange and apricot. These have been extremely good garden performers in our trials with a great range of colors. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We are pleased to finally be able to offer this hard-to-find, hardy, early spring-flowering orchid with wonderful 15" tall spikes of stunning yellow flowers with reddish-brown lips. Calanthe tricarinata prefers woodland conditions...moist but well-drained soils. The foliage is evergreen in mild winters but may become deciduous when temperatures approach 10 degrees F. We have had some reports of success with this orchid from Zone 5. Calanthe tricarinata is featured in the book, "Rare and Precious Plants of China." Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
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