Happiness In Bhutan
Asian Lady Slipper (Cypripedium) Species by Dennis Carey and Tony Avent, Plant Delights Nursery Inc.
Gardeners can introduce some Asian flair into their garden with the following collection of Lady Slipper species which are native to Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Himalayas.
Cypripedium cordigerum (Heart Lip Lady Slipper Orchid)
This Himalayan ladyslipper (China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan) is found from 6500 – 12,000′ elevation in forests where it grows in moist slightly acidic to nearly neutral soils. The 2′ tall leafy stalks are topped with large white pockets, backed with yellow-green sepals. (Hardiness unknown)
C. fasciolatum (Striped Lady Slipper Orchid)
This Chinese species hails from Sichuan, Hubei, and Guizhou provinces of China, where it grows at elevations between 6000 and 7500′. The large white flowers with chartreuse sepals are nearly as large as the US C. kentuckiense. (Hardiness unknown)
C. flavum (Chinese Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid)
C. flavum is a Chinese species, native to moist alkaline soils along forest edges and open grasslands at 5600-11,000′ elevation in Yunnan, Sichuan, Xizang, Gansu, and Hubei provinces. The 15″ tall stalks are adorned with 6-10 leaves, and topped with yellow pocketbook-like flowers, each backed with purple-stained yellow sepals. (Hardiness unknown)
C. formosanum (Formosa Lady Slipper Orchid)
This is a very rare high mountain Taiwanese ladyslipper orchid, similar to C. japonicum. The spectacular, heavily pleated green leaves resemble a Japanese hand fan opened horizontally atop 6″ tall stems. Held just above the foliage is a scrumptious dark pink lady slipper-like flower. When happy, C. formosanum forms a nice clump, spreading by underground rhizomes. C. formosanum is the more heat tolerant equivalent of the cold loving C. japonicum. C. formosanum prefers moist, well-drained slightly acidic to slightly neutral pH soils. Light shade with a couple of hours of early morning sun is best. (Hardiness Zone 6b-9)
C. henryi (Henry’s Lady Slipper Orchid)
This small growing species native to forest margins in the Chinese provinces Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan at 2500-7000′ elevation, prefers moist, organic alkaline soils. Each 18″ tall stalk is topped with 2-3 small chartreuse-green flowers. This is relatively easy-to-grow compared to many of the other Chinese species. (Hardiness Unknown)
C. japonicum (Japanese Lady Slipper Orchid)
The spectacular, heavily-pleated green leaves resemble a Japanese hand fan opened horizontally atop a 6″ tall stem. Held just above the foliage is a scrumptious pink lady slipper-like flower. These are not easy to grow and should only be tried by very serious gardeners and plant collectors. One of the best examples that I’ve seen in the Eastern US is a wonderful clump at the US National Arboretum in Washington DC. Light shade and slightly acidic soil are best. (Hardiness Zone 4-7a at least)
C. macranthos (Macranthos Lady Slipper Orchid)
This species has a wide distribution from Eastern Russia to China, Korea, Japan, and even Taiwan, where it can be found in grassy slopes and at forest edges. The 20″ tall stalks are topped in late spring with large pockets of violet. Rich, organic soils around a neutral pH are best. (Hardiness Zone 4-7a)
I hope this article on the Asian Cypripedium species has taken some of the mystery out of the genus cypripedium and hope you now feel inspired to try some of these magical garden plants. Please keep in mind that these are best tried by gardeners who take their gardening seriously. These are not plants which can be crammed into a hole dug in unprepared garden soil…save your money for impatiens if this is your level of gardening. If, on the other hand, you like a real challenge, Lady Slipper orchids are for you.
About the Author
To see the more Lady Slipper and to purchase them, please visit our web page at: www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Plants/Genus/Cypripedium
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