Family: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Lady's Slipper, Moccasin Flower

A genus of about 40 species of terrestrial orchids native to northern temperate regions, many are now rare and endangered in the wild. They grow from a slender rhizome, and have pleated leaves and flowers which are quite prominently pouched. The flowers, which are borne singly or in racemes, are usually red, pink, white or yellow, with tile pouched lip in contrasting yellow, purple, pink or white. Hybrids are being actively developed from both the Asian and the North American species.

Species

C. calceolus, lady's slipper, zone 5, has oval, mid-green leaves and summer flowers of purple-brown with a pouched yellow lip. It may grow to about 40 cm (16 in) high and wide.

C. retinae, zone 4, showy lady's slipper, may grow to over 70 cm (28 in) high. Its flowers which are white with a bright rose pink pouched lip, also appear in the summer.

Cultivation

These orchids need a sheltered position in dappled shade, woodland conditions and a humus-rich soil which drains well but retains a little moisture at all times. Water regularly during warm, dry weather. They can be divided with care in spring but the divisions must be replanted at once in order to avoid desiccation.

Climate

Depends on the species grown; some are quite frost-hardy.