I can't share much about the Bletilla - mine disappeared after its first season :((

But I have numerous colonies of hardy cyclamen and wouldn't be without them. I'd look to something other than squirrels terrorizing them - my neighborhood is overrun with the furry rats and while they can get into a bunch of stuff (I steer clear of many tulips), they have never bothered the cyclamen. Mine grow in relatively dry shade under a tall conifer and surrounding shrubs. The corms are just under the soil surface and are easily disturbed, so I weed carefully by hand in that area, then mulch. I was surprised one time when weeding to find the the corm of the largest colony was about the size of a frisbee!

I have several different forms of the fall blooming hederifolium, both pink and white, and a smaller clump of spring blooming coum, whose buds are just starting to show.

I guess you could try wrapping the corms in chicken wire, which is my favorite squirrel deterrent, to see if that keeps the munching down. If you were to mulch lightly over the top, I doubt it would be very noticeable, but I usually only use this method for more deeply planted bulbs, like the few tulips I do grow.

I also have C. hederifolium growing in dry shade under a Bradford Pear (planted by previous owner, I'm waiting for a good windstorm to split it in half so I have an excuse to get rid of it), also in an area with lots of squirrels, it seems to do fine. I let the fallen leaves do the mulching, give it no special care at all.

I have both failed and succeeded with the Bletillas, drainage seems to be key. They like organic soils with good drainage. Dappled shade is preferable, although I have seen them thrive in blazing sun if the the soil can be kept moist enough (moist but drained). I think the plant is an underused gem for the garden, and would encourage you to try it. I actually got my first ones in the perennial section at Home Depot (!!!), which in recent years (in Annapolis, Maryland, anyway) has been stocking some less common things in small quantities.

Have several colonies of Bletilla and Cyclamen(7 species +cultivars) and lots of gray squirrels. They have never eaten any of the Cyclamen tubers, but the dumb amimals will unearth them from freshly tilled soil, looking for buried seed and nuts. Gravel or crushed stone will not deter them from digging. I cover every plant and bulb with sections of 1" wire mesh until the soil settles, often leaving it there to decompose. Bletilla pseudobulbs are planted deeper, 3-4" in friable soil and will tolerate bright shade or sun, even afternoon sun in my latitude(33*47"N). They are also protected, not only from squirrels, but from Voles(often called Field Mice, but are in the Lemming Family,not the Mus Family), with a circle of vertical hardware cloth(metal), 3-4" in the soil & 4-5" above. It also helps to have free-roaming cats in the garden!
Bletilla striata is available in 3 colors, Magenta/Purple, White or Pink and a variety with white marginated leaves. A species with yellow flowers, Bletilla ochracea, would also be hardy in Zone 5, but is more rare in commerce. A third species, Bletilla formosana, with light pink flowers, is more tender and is not recommended for Zones below 7. These 3 species hybridize easily and you can sometimes find those available.

I love Bletilla and Cyclamen. I currently have both in pots due to a vole problem but there is a large in-ground clump of white Bletilla near here and huge colonies in Southern California. It has a small flower but there are several that appear along the stalk. Bletilla has bloomed for me all summer long, quite an accomplishment with our 100+ summers. Plus it's the only orchid I've kept alive so far. There is a type with slight variegation of the leaves. I have white, magenta, yellow and a hybrid that is supposed to be orangey red--hopefully it will bloom this year. Cyclamen has been in flower here all winter. What more could you ask for?

Bletilla= yes yes yes! Go for it! Mine are in containers, and aside from occasional watering, get no care whatsoever, yet multiply quite willingly!

Amanda 'romando'