Early to mid-April has been peak for the amazing calanthe orchid show in the garden. These easy-to-grow, semi-evergreen terrestrial orchids, are a woodland perennial we wouldn’t garden without.
Calanthe discolor ‘Eco White’ is a selection from the late nurseryman, Don Jacobs. This species range includes China, Korea, and Japan.
Calanthe ‘Golden Treasure’ is our selection of a Calanthe sieboldii hybrid.
Calanthe ‘Orange Explosion’ is our selection from a group of seedlings that showed up in the garden. Orchids typically don’t self seed in the garden, so this was just pure luck.
What is the blue flower surrounding the ‘Golden Treasure’?
That’s our native, Phlox divaricata
Hi there,
I have a question more than a comment. Do these guys (Calanthes) spread a lot? I have one that I bought about 5 years ago. This year, for the very first time, it has blooms coming! I’m so excited!! I also still just have the one individual plant that I originally bought. It hasn’t spread (sent up any side shoots) at all yet. Is that normal? Do I need to buy more to have a little colony? Or maybe culturally something I should be doing to help this along?
Your help is appreciated, as always!
Thanks,
Mary Bean
Great question. Calanthes do not spread on their own. As our clumps get larger, we dig and divide them, replaning to make a larger mass in the garden.
OK, thank you!
Mary Bean
Calanthes ‘Golden Treasure’ is also very fragrant. When I picked the tiniest flower stalk to share with a tour group, I did not want to give it up it smelled so good. The strongest note was of vanilla. It was as good as having dessert.