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The name 'Kuchibeni' means lipstick in Japanese. Not only does this tell us about the Asiatic provenance of the plant, it also tell us about the appearance of the flowers. Their sepals and petals are soft pink, but it is the pouting central lip with its interior white ruffles that wears the lipsick. This stain of purple-pink is very distinctive. The charming flowers of Bletilla striata 'Kuchibeni' bloom at the tops of willowy stems in sets of three to seven. The arching foliage is lance-shaped and pleated. Bletilla striata and its selections do best in soil that is kept evenly moist. We grow ours with morning sun and afternoon shade and they appear quite content. Photo courtesy of Tamara Paulat.
Spring to early summer. 12-24 in. x 12-24 in.
Soft Pink/Pink Purple flowers
Part Shade Zones 6, 7, 8, 9 |