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Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC
Calanthe sieboldii
Siebold's Hardy Calanthe Orchid
Item #: 1861
Zones: 7a to 9b, possibly colder
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 20" tall
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
(syn: Calanthe striata) Calanthe sieboldii, a 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 20". Along the scape are dozens of small pansy-like flowers of bright yellow...quite stunning. Calanthe sieboldii prefers 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.
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.
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Other Attributes
Genus: Calanthe
Flower Color: Yellow/Gold
Leaf Color: Green
Bloom Time: Spring
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Living Wall , Rock Garden Plants
Other: Cut Flower Plants , Drought Tolerant Plants , Dry Shade Plants , Hummingbird Plants , Pollinator Plants , Plants from Japan , Tropical Looking Plants , Tony's Favorites