Grapette Purple Dwarf Live Ground Orchid Philippine Terrestrial Spathoglottis unguiculata Starter Sz 4

Terrestrial Orchids do not require the special media and conditions of other epiphyte orchids (i.e., the ones whose native habit is to grow on the sides of trees in the rain forests). Ground Orchids grow well planted in the ground, are not fussy, and will quickly naturalize within the recommended growing Zone Range. This group is native to Southeastern Asia and the Philippine Islands and is a very popular group of cultivated ornamental plants in the US.

Grapette is especially nice. It has pretty, very dark green, veined, strapped leaves and is a prolific, almost constant warm-season bloomer producing perfect mini orchids in a vivid, grape jam shade of brilliant purple accented in bright yellow. Flowers are born on long stems above the plant and have a classic orchid shape in a miniature form. As a bonus, Grapette grows shorter and more dense than others and seems to bloom more easily in moderate shade and indoors. Many sources describe the flowers as smelling like grape soda or grape Kool-Aid. However, note that many gardeners report being unable to discern any fragrance. So, different individuals seem to experience the fragrance differently, possibly due to individual physiology, the age of the flower, time of day, or weather conditions.

Ground orchids are easy to grow, and require little care and maintenance once established. They can be mass planted, used as a border or background or grown as potted plants. Best location is in lightly dappled all day shade.