About
The long, slender stem produces a whitish flower with flecks of light to dark pink in the spring. A small, hardy orchid reaching a height of around 10cm. Two apical, ovate to round plicate leaves are produced which have veins that radiate outwards likea fan.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens
Native toC Taiwan
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, fertile, leafy, humus-rich slightly alkaline soil in a sheltered site with dappled or partial shade - ideally with some morning sunshine. 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