Overview
Cypripedium guttatum is a clump forming, columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Cypripedium, part of the Orchidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Cypripedium guttatum 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 guttatum, the spotted lady's slipper or Alaskan lady's slipper, is a species of orchid found on three continents. Each stem has about two clasping leaves that alternate. The plant has a height of 12 centimeters to 35 centimeters. The magenta and white colored labellum is pitcher shaped. In the garden it prefers partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in specialist orchid compost. Provide bright, indirect light.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cypripedium guttatum
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 guttatum 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 guttatum
- 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 guttatum?
Cypripedium guttatum prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Cypripedium guttatum need?
Cypripedium guttatum 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 guttatum hardy in the UK?
Cypripedium guttatum 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 guttatum?
Division in early or mid-spring.
More in the Cypripedium genus
- Cypripedium Inge gx 'Frosch's Mother Earth'
- Cypripedium acaulestemless 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