CALANTHE

Orchids are reputed to be difficult, but the following hardy terrestrial types from Japan are easy to grow if given moist, woodsy, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. Lush leaves of most types have an attractively pleated look. Their sensational blooms often bear a clovelike scent. Plants may be late to emerge in spring.

calanthe discolor

• Evergreen or semievergreen.
• Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
• Dark green, heavily pleated leaves are 612 inches long, 2 inches wide and form a clump to 1 feet across.
• In midspring, small, fragrant mahogany flowers with a white or pale pink lower lip appear on 1- to 112 feet-tall stalks.
• The Takane hybrids have yellow flowers marked with brown, gold, white, and red.

calanthe Kozu hybrids

• Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
• These hybrids between Calanthe discolor and Calanthe izu-insularis are largely evergreen.
• Dark green leaves, 46 inches long and 12 inches wide, form a foliage clump to about 8 inches tall and wide.
• In spring, foot-tall flower spikes are covered in clove-scented flowers; blossoms come in red, pink, white, and yellow, in both solid colors and bicolor combinations.

calanthe reflexa

• Evergreen.
• Zones MS, LS, CS; USDA 7-9.
• Narrow, pleated leaves to 68 inches long, about 112 inches wide form a clump to 1 feet tall, 15 inches wide.
• Unlike most other species, this one blooms in mid- to late summer, when lightly fragrant lavender-and-white flowers appear on 112 feet-tall spikes.

calanthe striata(Calanthe discolor sieboldii)

• Zones MS, LS, CS; USDA 7-9.
• Resembles Calanthe discolor but has clear yellow flowers in even greater profusion.