This is a genus of ground orchids from China and other east Asian countries. It is varieties of the species Bletilla striata that are usually grown. They have pseudobulbs, from which they produce a few strappy leaves, and then a stem with a few flowers, shaped rather like those of Pleione. They would grow in partial shade, as they come from temperate forests.

Bletilla striata has many spikes of rose or mauve coloured flowers with a ruffled lip. It likes to be in well drained soil so the roots don’t sit in winter wet.