Lady's Slipper Orchids, Hardy Terrestrial Orchids, Slipper Orchids, Moccasin Flower, Camel's Foot, Squirrel Foot, Steeple Cap, Venus' Shoes, whippoorwill Shoe
Cypripedium (Lady’s Slipper Orchid) is a genus of terrestrial orchids in the Orchidaceae family. It includes about 50 species, most of them quite hardy, which can be found in America, Europe, and Asia. In the northern part of their distribution, temperate slipper orchids are found from sea level into the lower hills, occupying coniferous forests, mixed deciduous woodlands, bogs, fens, grasslands or prairies. Some can survive harsh winter conditions, fearlessly withstanding temperatures below -22°F (30°C). Farther south, they usually inhabit montane woodlands and grasslands at higher elevations.
Cypripedium species vary considerably in size, color, growing requirements, and blooming duration. Some will only bloom for a week, whereas others can bloom for up to 3 weeks.
Lady’s slipper orchids are among the most desired of all hardy orchids. Often colorful and striking, these rhizomatous perennials have a distinctive inflated pouch or modified lip (labellum) that resembles a slipper or shoe. Depending on the species, the slipper can be as large as a chicken egg or quite small. This slipper is a key element of their pollination strategy: insects trapped in the pouch are obliged to crawl under the anther as they exit and in so doing transfer pollen to the stigma. The labellum often has a contrasting color from the three long, twisted petals. Three or more leaves are usually produced along the stem, although leaves can also be basal.
Cypripedium species have been sought after for their beauty and the medicinal trade (often utilized as a milder alternative to Valerian) for decades. Unfortunately, many species in America and Europe are close to extinction due to their shrinking natural habitat and widespread collection. Several species are legally protected in some regions where digging or picking the orchids has become illegal. Lady’s slippers rarely survive transplanting from the wild.
Hardiness |
2 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Orchids, Perennials |
Plant Family | Orchidaceae |
Genus | Cypripedium |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid), |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, California, Northeast, Indiana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado |
Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Mike Russell/Shutterstock
Hardiness |
2 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Orchids, Perennials |
Plant Family | Orchidaceae |
Genus | Cypripedium |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid), |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, California, Northeast, Indiana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado |
Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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