Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid)

Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid) is a hardy orchid boasting showy flowers with a large, deep lemon-yellow pouch covered with red spots in the throat, topped with green and chocolate-brown petals that twist outwards in spirals. Blooming from late spring to midsummer (depending on geographic locations), the sophisticated flowers are borne at the top of the stems, usually singly, but occasionally in pairs. The stems bear between 3-6 pointed, oval, pleated leaves that have fine hairs and prominent veins. Big and bold, this plant can form a showy clump of 20 or more stems, however, plants with 3-5 stems are closer to the norm. Easy to grow, Yellow Lady’s Slipper is a great deal tougher than it appears. This is the most common wild orchid in the U.S. and is found in almost every state. 

• Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
• Thrives in part shade in moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Provide an annual winter mulch of leaf mold.
• Excellent choice for borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, and containers.
• Propagate by division in early or mid-spring and replant immediately. Some soil from the root ball, which contains beneficial fungi, should be planted with each division.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and gray molds.
• Native from Subarctic America to the USA.