Calanthe Sieboldii : a scented garden orchid with long-lasting flowers

Calanthe Sieboldii : a scented orchid with long-lasting flowers

Calanthe sieboldii is without doubt the most spectacular species of all the Japanese terrestrial orchids. This hardy orchid produces a cluster of large, glossy, pale to lemon yellow flowers, sometimes dotted with brown on the labellum, with varying levels of scent. It is also characterised by a very long flowering time for a hardy orchid.

This species grows in damp forests, along mountain streams and on wet hillsides. The orchid has a pseudobulb from which large light green leaves emerge in early spring, measuring up to 40 cm long and 15 cm wide. In late spring, the plant blooms with beautiful inflorescences 45 cm tall, each bearing up to 20 flowers.

Discover our other Calanthe varieties too

Calanthe Kozu - Hybrid

This hybrid between Calanthe discolor and Calanthe izu-insularis is now available from Phytesia. In spring, the flowers release a wonderful fragrance of cloves. The colour of the flower varies, including combinations of white and red, yellow and red, pink and red etc. – every plant is different.

Calanthe Takane - Hybrid

This Asian hybrid, developed by crossing Calanthe discolor with Calanthe sieboldii, produces flowers that combine yellow, orange and apricot.

Calanthe reflexa

Calanthe reflexa is a scented terrestrial orchid whose floral scape consists of refined flowers with pearlescent white, pink and mauve sepals and petals and a pink and white labellum. Flowering takes place in late summer or early autumn.

Calanthe discolor

The Calanthe discolor is a terrestrial orchid with an exotic but rustic look, bearing sublime two-tone flowers.

Calanthe tricarinata

This terrestrial orchid comes from the mountains of Japan to those of the Himalayas. Adapted to the cold, it is one of the hardiest species of the Calanthe genus. It produces in spring, long floral stems (40 to 50 cm) bearing refined flowers with greenish-yellow sepals and petals and a dark pink copper labellum.

What should I do when I receive my Calanthe ?

Calanthe prefer protected conditions and light, fresh, regularly watered soils rich in humus.

Plant Calanthe in protected positions, in sparse, damp undergrowth or next to water, accompanied by cypripediums, arisaemas, ferns or hostas.

The soil should never dry out in summer, but conversely it should never be saturated with water in winter.

Show it off in partial shade beside large trees.

If your soil is heavy, add 1/3 leafmould and 1/3 lime-free sand to your soil to a depth and width of 20-25 cm.

Cultivation in pots or planters is perfectly possible. 

Terrestrial Calanthe are fairly greedy plants during the growing season: adding a half-dose of geranium-type fertiliser every week from mid-May to mid-September would be beneficial.