Overview
Cypripedium acaule is a clump forming, columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Cypripedium, part of the Orchidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Cypripedium acaule grows best in partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Cypripedium acaule, commonly known as stemless lady's slipper, is a clump-forming, columnar upright herbaceous perennial belonging to the orchid family Orchidaceae. This ground-dwelling orchid features slender rhizomes and soft, fan-like deciduous leaves arranged in pairs. It thrives in partial shade with bright indirect light and prefers moist but well-drained soil types including loam, clay, and sand, across a range of pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is suited to sheltered locations and is ideal for city gardens, rock gardens, and underplanting beneath roses and shrubs. Its season of interest spans spring and summer.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Cypripedium
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Cypripedium acaule size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Cypripedium acaule
- Propagation
- Division in early or mid-spring
- Pest resistance
- Slugs
- Disease resistance
- Grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Cypripedium acaule?
Cypripedium acaule prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Cypripedium acaule need?
Cypripedium acaule is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, clay and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Cypripedium acaule hardy in the UK?
Cypripedium acaule has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Cypripedium acaule?
Division in early or mid-spring.
More in the Cypripedium genus
- Cypripedium Inge gx 'Frosch's Mother Earth'
- Cypripedium guttatumhardy spotted lady's slipper
- Cypripedium japonicumJapanese lady's slipper
- Cypripedium macranthos var. hotei-atsumorianum Sadovsky
- Cypripedium 'Lilatt'
- Cypripedium Annegret gx
- Cypripedium Blondi gx
- Cypripedium Cleo Pinkepank gx