About
Dietrich is a deciduous, hardy orchid to 60cm tall with broadly lanceolate, slightly pleatedleaves covered with fine hairs. Flowers borne in spring comprise strongly twisted, deep burgundy-red upper petals and a large creamy-yellow, pouch-shaped lip.
About the genus
Cypripedium are terrestrial orchids with slender rhizomes and soft fan-shaped leaves, spirally arranged or in opposite pairs. Flowers are born in racemes of up to 12 flowers during summer have white, pink, red or purple tepals and a yellow, white, pink or purple pouch
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, fertile, leafy, humus-rich soil in a sheltered site with dappled or partial shade. Provide an annual winter mulch of leaf mould
PruningNo pruning required, allow foliage to die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by division in early or mid-spring and replant immediately. Some of the soil from the root ball, which contains beneficial fungi, should be planted with each division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds