• Image of Calanthe discolor 'Eco White'|Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC|JLBG

    Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC

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Calanthe discolor 'Eco White'

Hardy Asian Orchid

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 3386

Zones: 7a to 9b

Dormancy: Evergreen

Height: 10" tall

Culture: Part Sun to Shade

Origin: Japan

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


Many years ago, we obtained this superb Asian orchid from Don Jacobs of Eco Gardens. Don purchased the plant in Japan back in the early 1980's. What thrilled us is that this hardy orchid has been the fastest multiplying of the calanthes in our garden. C. 'Eco White' is either a selection or hybrid of the Japanese native C. discolor. In late spring, the pleated green leaves lay flat to form a nice background for the spikes of white lipped flowers backed with chartreuse green petals. Superb!

The Calanthe are terrestrial orchids, many of which are winter hardy in zone 7. They are showy in bloom and the foliage, while not show-stopping, is quite handsome most of the year. Rosettes of broad green foliage are a bit like a small Hosta though the leaves of Calanthe are pleasantly pleated. They want the same cultural conditions that would suit a Hosta. Calanthes can be propagated by division. Like other orchids only the current years pseudobulb produces foliage. The dormant back-bulbs remain forever dormant unless they are separated. So when dividing Calanthes, separate each back-bulb and replant. They will put up new growth from the now liberated dormant buds.