A deer-resistant woodland beauty, Chinese ground orchid has small pinkish-purple flowers for weeks in the spring.
The petite flowers grow along thin stems that stand 18 inches tall.
The orchids spread slowly to form a carpet of foliage.
Chinese orchid is easier to grow thanorchidsthat are air plants.
It is a great plant for rock gardens or the front of part-shade borders.
Chinese orchid does best in rich and moderately moist, well-drained soil.
It is adaptable to a wide soil pH from acidic to alkaline.
Unlike many spring-blooming bulbs, Chinese ground orchid retains its foliage until it is killed back by frost.
This trait makes it great for carpeting soil near the front of a flower border.
Another attractive pair is Chinese ground orchid with black snakeroot orRodger’s flower.
When planted in optimal growing conditions, Chinese ground orchids will spread to create a colony.
Plant the corm-like bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep and space them 4 inches apart.
Light
Chinese ground orchid is a shade plant.
Part shade with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal but it will also grow in full shade.
This will also improve soil drainage, which is crucial because Chinese ground orchid does not tolerate wet soil.
The plant is adaptable to a soil pH range between 6.0 and 8.0.
Regular moisture is essential for good growth.
In the absence of rain, water the plants well throughout the growing season.
Chinese ground orchid prefers humid conditions.
Fertilizer
Orchids are sensitive to commercial fertilizers.
It is safe to replenish the soil with nutrients by scattering compost around the plant every year.
Pruning
It is not required to prune Chinese orchids.
For a neater appearance, remove spent flowers and any dried or brown leaves at any time.
Potting and Repotting Chinese Ground Orchid
Choose a container with large drainage holes.
Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than plants in the landscape.
When the roots have filled the pot, repot the plant in a larger pot with fresh potting mix.
Either bring the container indoors for overwintering or wrap it in bubble wrap or burlap for insulation.
Pests and Problems
Chinese ground orchid is not known to have any major diseases or pests.
Sometimes slugs and snails will feed on the plants.
Chinese orchid is deer-resistant.
How to Propagate Chinese Ground Orchid
Chinese ground orchid can be propagated bydivisionin the fall.
Carefully dig up the corm-like bulbs.
Separate them into sections and discard any blemished or diseased corms.
Replant the sections at the same depth as the original plant.
It grows 1-2 feet tall.
The plant reaches only 7 to 12 inches in height.
Hostas in new sizes and touting new foliage features seem to appear each year.
Astilbe
Astilbebrings a graceful, feathering note to moist, shady landscapes.
It will spread slowly over time where well-situated.
Most commercially available types are complex hybrids.
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantlelooks great in the garden and in a vase.
Its scalloped leaves catch rain or drewdrops, making them look dusted with jewels.
The chartreuse flowers appear in playful, frothy clusters above the foliage.
Harvest stems when one or two blooms are open.
Plunge in a vase of fresh water.
Replace the water daily, and the other blooms will open in the following days.
Let them dry for a few hours and shake off excess soil.
Store them in a cool, dry, frost-free location until the spring, then replant them.
