About
Cypripedium reginae, the showy lady's slipper orchid, is one of the most spectacular of all hardy orchids, reaching around 60 cm tall with oval, prominently veined, hairy, lime-green leaves 10�25 cm long. In late spring and early summer, pure white flowers to 5 cm long with a dramatic, pouched, white-streaked pink lip are borne singly or in twos or threes. One of the finest of all native North American wildflowers.
About the genus
Cypripedium, the lady's slipper orchids, are terrestrial orchids with slender rhizomes, broad, pleated, lance-shaped leaves and distinctive, pouched, slipper-shaped flowers in white, pink, red, purple or yellow. Among the most sought-after of all temperate orchids, they require excellent drainage and cool, partly shaded conditions.
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
Native toEastern N America
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