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Alpine RockeryHerbaceous Perennial

Cypripedium calceolus

yellow lady's slipper orchid

A terrestrial orchid with soft, folded bright green leaves 5-20cm long. In summer bears purple-brown flowers 9cm long with twisted petals and large, deep yellow lips, singly or in pairs on upright stems to 40cm high

Synonyms
Cypripedium calceolus var. calceolus
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Brown Purple Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
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

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe to Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, fertile, leafy, humus-rich slightly alkaline soil in a sheltered site with dappled or partial shade. Provide an annual winter mulch of leaf mould. Suits a shady rock garden or woodland garden

Propagation

Propagate 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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

No pruning required, allow foliage to die down naturally

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and orchid scale insect

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds

Get involved

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