Calanthe - Hardy Orchid

A small genus of Orchids that are among the best for landscape use in temperate climates.

* photos taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Calanthe aristulifera
A perennial, forming a clump up to 1.3 x 1.3 feet in size, that is native to woodland in southeast China, Korea and Taiwan.
The leaves are up to 12 x 3 ( rarely over 7 ) inches in size. The foliage is glossy bright green.
The white to pale purple flowers appear during mid to late spring.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

Calanthe discolor
A clumping perennial native to deciduous forests in eastern China, Korea and Japan.
The lance-shaped, basal leaves are up to 12 x 3.5 inches in size. The semi-evergreen foliage is glossy deep green. Up to 20 white, pink or light lavender flowers up to 1.5 inch across are borne on stalks up to 2.2 feet tall from April to June.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( evergreen to about 15 F ) in full sun to partial shade, preferring fertile, moist, light, well drained soil.

* photos taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photo taken on Apr 24 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

'Eco Rose'
Vigorous spreader. Flowers are tinged rose with rosy-white lips

'Eco White'
Easy to grow. A heavy bloomer with flowers starting yellowish-white with white lips turning to entirely pure white.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 in Washington, DC

'Kozu'
A natural hybrid between Calanthe discolor & C. izu-insularis. Easy to grow and more vigorous than both its parents. Reaches up to 16 inches and is hardy north to zone 7 ( 6 with snow cover )

Calanthe sieboldii ( Siebold Calanthe )
Also called Hardy Yellow Orchid. Similar to Calanthe discolor but reaching up to 2 feet in height. It is native to Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
The broad pleated leaves are up to 24 x 5 inches in size. They emerge early and remain attractive all season long.
The showy, golden-yellow ( with red lips ) flowers, up to 1.5 inches wide, are borne on abundant spikes, up to 20 inches tall, during mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( protected site with winter mulch in 6 ) in partial to full shade on moist, humus-rich, well drained soil. Older clumps can be divided during early autumn.

* taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.




'Takane'
selections of C. sieboldii with mixed flower colors but mostly bright yellow with white lips. It can reach up to 22 inches in height and is hardy north to zone 7 ( zone 6 with snow cover ).