Bletilla x yokohama ‘Kate’ PP19878

Some people find it a little hard to believe that one of the best shade perennials for Oklahoma is a type of orchid. Many orchids are Epiphytic (grow in trees) but this species is Terrestrial (grows in the ground) and is one of the easiest to cultivate. Hardy Chinese Orchids have attractive strap-like pleated leaves and spring-time blooms of up to 20 flowers per stalk. Big Bob is a selection with huge pink-purple flowers on stems a little larger than the original species. This pest-free shade lover forms a slowly-spreading clump in the garden.