Lady's Slipper Orchids

Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedium spp.) are hardy terrestrial orchids found in many temperate areas across North America, Europe, and Asia. Greenland™ is proud to be one of the very few sources of artificially propagated, nursery grown lady’s slippers in Alberta. While these elusive gems are not necessarily difficult to grow, they do have some specialized requirements. This page will give you some background and care information, as well as showcase some varieties for 2024.

A few facts about lady’s slippers:

They are most associated with woodland and fen habitats
Relatively slow-growing plants that do not like to be disturbed often
In the wild, the seeds and seedlings form a symbiotic relationship with specialized fungi to help them germinate and grow
Wild plants typically do not transplant well and should be left alone
Our plants are grown from seed, which is germinated under sterile conditions in a lab, where special hormones and nutrients mimic what the fungus would provide in nature
The plants are then grown under nursery or garden conditions for 5-6 years before they are old enough to flower (we sell only blooming sized plants)
The price of the plants reflects the high costs of growing these plants from seed to flowering over such a long period
Once planted in your garden, assuming proper planting and care, lady’s slippers will live for decades, increasing in the number of stems each year until, after a few years, you will have lovely clumps with dozens of flowers
The flowers appear between late May and early July (depending on variety) and last about 2 weeks on average; many are delicately scented
They do not require special fungi to thrive in the garden
Lady’s slippers are completely hardy in central Alberta (most are zone 2-3) and do not require any sort of special protection to survive our extreme winters
They are recommended for planting in the garden only (not for in containers)

Care Information

The most important factors in growing these plants well are site selection and soil preparation. Planted in the right location and in the right soil, they require very little maintenance.

As soon as possible after bringing your plants home, plant them in the ground. They are difficult to maintain in pots and can deteriorate quickly
Until they can be planted, keep the pots in a cool, shaded area and do not allow them to completely dry out, but also take care not to overwater. Water when the soil is just barely damp
The best location to plant is an east or north exposure, or under a high deciduous tree canopy with dappled shade. They should be shaded from hot afternoon sun, but do best with morning and/or evening sun
Dry areas underneath large coniferous trees are not good locations
Areas with high competition from large, fast-growing plants or that are heavily shaded by larger plants are also not good locations; you want an open, bright but shady area
The soil should be loose and crumbly. Do not plant in heavy clay soil, or in dry sandy soil. A well-structured loam amended with compost is recommended
The roots should always stay damp, but never wet. Waterlogged soil will cause rot. A thin layer (1”) of mulch will help to keep the soil cool and moist in summer and keep winter soil temperatures stable. Pull the mulch back from the base of the stems to avoid stem rot, especially in rainy weather
Fertilizer is needed during the vegetative growth phase, from early spring until flowering time. Fertilize as you would other perennials, with 15-30-15, 20-20-20 or something similar. Slow-release fertilizer works well and can be applied as soon as the ground is workable
Once you have large clumps with more than 25 stems or so, they should be divided in fall. The older clumps get, the more susceptible they become to disease

Planting Instructions

Choose a permanent location, as they do not like to be disturbed
Remove the plant from the container and shake off the potting soil. Gently spread the roots horizontally and plant in the top 4 inches of the soil, at the same level the plant was at in the pot
Do not compress the soil at all. It is very important the soil remains loose. Sprinkle the soil over the roots and mound it slightly above the surrounding grade, then water it in to allow it to settle. Add more soil if necessary, to bring it up to grade
Apply mulch around the plant, if desired
Check daily for moisture until you have a feel for how quickly the soil dries out

Varieties Available

We expect to have the following varieties available in spring 2024. Plants are available in limited quantities and sell out quickly. Please phone the perennials department at 780-467-7557 on or after April 19 to be put on the wait list. Customers will be contacted and offered plants they have requested on a first come, first served basis.

PLEASE NOTE: These plants are variable and may not flower exactly as shown. We will not refund or exchange plants that do not flower out identical to the photo. The same plant may bloom differently from year to year or even week to week depending on the weather.

‘Alaskanum’ (Cypripedium guttatum x C. yatabeanum)

Bucket-shaped flowers with a white background, overlaid with brownish to red blotches.
A dwarf with stoloniferous growth habit; plants form a low mat over time.
Naturally occurring hybrid between two far northern species.
Ht. 10-15cm (4-6 in.) Sp. 30-60cm (12-24 in.) Zone 2

'Annegret' (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin x C. shanxiense)

Pale yellow flowers overlaid with copper to orange tones on the pouch and brownish red on the tepals.
The flowers may be fragrant and there may be up to 2 flowers per stem.
A petite hybrid with unusual colouration.
Ht. 25-40cm (10-16 in.) Sp. 30cm (12 in.) Zone 3

'Emil' (Cypripedium parviflorum x C. calceolus)

Yellow flowers, sometimes with red markings on the pouch, and deep brownish red tepals.
Often has 2-3 flowers per stem, and sweetly fragrant.
A particularly robust and vigorous hybrid.
Ht. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Sp. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Zone 3

'Eurasia' (Cypripedium macranthos x C. tibeticum)

Very large blooms range from deep pink to plum-purple in colour.
This is a slower growing hybrid that does not form large clumps as readily as others.
Requires sharply drained soil.
Ht. 20-40cm (8-16 in.) Sp. 20-30cm (8-12 in.) Zone 3

'Frosch's Alaskan Beauty' (Cypripedium guttatum x yatabeanum)

A selected superior clone of ‘Alaskanum’, propagated by tissue culture so all offspring are identical to the parent.
Bucket-shaped flowers have a white background, overlaid with magenta-red blotches.
A dwarf with stoloniferous growth habit; plants form a low mat over time.
Ht. 10-15cm (4-6 in.) Sp. 30-60cm (12-24 in.) Zone 2

'Frosch's Mother Earth' (Cypripedium parviflorum x C. fasciolatum)

A selected superior clone of ‘Inge’, propagated by tissue culture so all offspring are identical to the parent.
Large flowers have an ivory white pouch with red rim, and deep chestnut brown tepals.
A robust hybrid that sometimes produces 2 flowers per stem.
Ht. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Sp. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Zone 3

'Frosch's Queen of the Mist' (Cypripedium macranthos var. albiflorum x C. calceolus)

A selected superior clone of ‘Ventricosum Pastel’, propagated by tissue culture so all offspring are identical to the parent.
Pristine white flowers with a hint of green in the centre.
A robust and vigorous hybrid that often produces 2 flowers per stem.
Ht. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 3

'Gisela' (Cypripedium parviflorum x C. macranthos)

Flowers range from yellow to white base colour, overlaid with purplish pink to burgundy red blushing.
Often has 2 flowers per stem.
Still one of the overall best hybrids; robust, vigorous, and easy to grow.
Ht. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 2

'Jimmy' (Cypripedium fasciolatum x C. macranthos var. rebunense)

Very large flowers with a creamy-white, almost blonde base colour; may be overlaid with a varying amount of pink to give a peachy effect.
A slower growing hybrid that does not form large clumps as readily as others.
Requires sharply drained soil.
Ht. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Sp. 25-35cm (10-14 in.) Zone 4

'Karl Heinz' (Cypripedium calceolus x C. cordigerum)

Dainty white to creamy-white flowers with brownish red tepals.
Often produces 2 flowers per stem.
Requires sharply drained soil.
Ht. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Sp. 30-40cm (12-16 in.) Zone 3

'Philipp' Dark Form (Cypripedium macranthos x C. kentuckiense)

Very large flowers; selected breeding for exceptionally dark fuchsia-pink colour.
Slower growing hybrid that does not form large clumps as readily as others.
Easy to grow.
Ht. 30-60cm (12-24 in.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 3

‘Ulla Silkens’ (Cypripedium flavum x C. reginae)

An excellent substitute for showy lady’s slipper, which is one of the parents of this hybrid
Greatly resembles showy lady’s slipper, with large white flowers which have pink or purple spotting or blushing on the pouch
The flowers are so variable depending on temperature during bud formation; the same plant can multiple flowers open completely different in the same season!
Ht. 30-60cm (12-24 in.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 3

'Ventricosum' (Cypripedium calceolus x C. macranthos)

Flowers usually have a white background with fuchsia to reddish pink blush.
Often produces 2 flowers per stem.
This naturally occurring hybrid is robust, vigorous, and easy to grow.
Ht. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 3

Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum)

Smaller form of our native yellow species.
Fragrant flowers are yellow with deep brownish red tepals, and there are commonly 2-3 flowers per stem.
Easy to grow and vigorous.
Ht. 20-30cm (8-12 in.) Sp. 30-45cm (12-18 in.) Zone 2

Large Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens)

A native species which produces fragrant yellow flowers with reddish brown tepals
Mature plants may produce 2 flowers per stem
Vigorous and easy to grow
Ht. 25-40cm Sp. 30-40cm Zone 2