Overview

Cypripedium ventricosum is a perennial in the genus Cypripedium, part of the Orchid family. Cypripedium ventricosum grows best in partial shade, and tolerates well-drained and humus-rich soils and neutral to slightly acidic pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include woodland garden and shaded border. It is native to Himalayas and China.

About

Cypripedium ventricosum is a perennial lady's slipper orchid hybrid valued for its pouch-like, slipper-shaped blooms. It suits partial shade in sheltered, semi-shaded sites and flowers from May to July. Plant in a well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to slightly acidic and kept moist but free-draining. Handle with care: the plant is a skin allergen, so wear gloves and protective equipment when working with it.

About the genus

Cypripedium is a genus of 58 species and nothospecies of hardy orchids; it is one of five genera that together compose the subfamily of lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedioideae). They are widespread across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including most of Europe and Africa (Algeria), Russia, China, Central Asia, Canada the United States, Mexico, and Central America.

Wikipedia contributors, "Cypripedium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cypripedium

In the garden

Cypripedium ventricosum is a perennial orchid hybrid originating from the Himalayas and China and belongs to the lady's slipper group of orchids. Gardeners grow it for the distinctive slipper-shaped blooms that appear from May to July, offering a focused late-spring to mid-summer display. The species sits within the Orchid family and is treated as a specialist woodland planting rather than a sun-border subject. Give it partial shade in a shaded or semi-shaded, sheltered aspect. It prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and benefits from consistently moist but not waterlogged conditions. Its UK hardiness rating is H5, meaning it is classed as hardy for UK gardens when placed in a protected site that avoids harsh exposure. Best used in a woodland garden or shaded border where soil rich in organic matter can be maintained, Cypripedium ventricosum rewards positioning that keeps it cool and sheltered. Because it can provoke skin reactions, always wear gloves and other protective equipment when planting, pruning or dividing, and plan to enjoy its distinctive slipper blooms through May to July when they are at their peak.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Cypripedium

Sunlight

partial shade

Soil type

well-drained, humus-rich

Soil pH

neutral to slightly acidic

Soil moisture

moist but well-drained

Aspect

shaded or semi-shaded

Exposure

sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Cypripedium ventricosum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

perennial

Suggested uses

woodland garden, shaded border

Native to

Himalayas, China

Toxicity

Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Cypripedium ventricosum

Cultivation

Requires cool, shaded conditions with humus-rich, well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogging. Protect from strong winds.

Pruning

Remove dead foliage after flowering

Propagation

Division or seed

Frequently asked questions