Bletilla striata A Pond Marginal, Anyone?

Is anyone using Bletilla striata (Chinese Ground Orchid) as a marginal plant in the pond?

I just bought this from my local pond supply store, sold as a marginal, but searching info on it on the Internet does not encourage me. My pond freezes over for several months most winters. Can I leave this out? Or do I need to bring it inside, like the lotuses? Will it even do well with submerged roots?

Any advice from anyone with experience with this plant will be welcome!

Potagere

I cant do hyperlinks, sorry. the plantfiles had 2 comments, hardy in zones 8b to 10b, liked well drained soil, tend to begin bloom before 1rst frost, which the plant survives but the blooms are over. Voles like, but dont love them. The pics are gorgeous, tho, n someone may be able to help you better; but,as a marginal, the comment did mention needed well drained sandy soil, so my guess is I'd be digging them for wintering indoors!

Yeah, I wasn't getting much help from the PlantFiles, either. Nowhere else, for that matter. I'm just hoping that someone here has used this plant! It IS a gorgeous plant!

I got a couple of pots of this in the spring and it bloomed quite well for me. I did not plant it in or near the water though. It is meant as a woodland plant for shady moist but not wet conditions. I have a wonderful greenhouse near here with a very knowledgeable owner who told me it was pretty easy to care for and very hardy.

Well, that info on the hardiness is encouraging, but it still is not sounding as if marginal pond use is a good idea.

Definitely NOT a "marginal plant for the pond" - these pseudo-bulbs will rot in a heartbeat if given constant moisture! Years ago Barry Yinger, of Asiatica Nursery http://www.asiaticanursery.com/index.cfm?, told me that contrary to what he had originally learned about Bletillas (rich, moist soils, etc.) he had tossed small bulblets of the plant into an area which was basically 100% gravel/grit by the side of the road. Several years later they had taken off and formed an incredible colony! Regardless of soil conditions (sandy, clay, etc.) good drainage is an absolute must to keep this plant happy in your gardens.

Well, that pretty much clinches it. I wonder why the almost always reputable and knowledgeable folks at my pond center have these stocked in "ponds" and are selling them as marginals? First thing in the morning I better go pull this plant out of the pond and try to fry it out some!~ I meant "dry" it out!

This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 7:49 PM