1 named cultivar

‘Bernd’Bernd Yellow Lady's Slipper

perennial

Yellow Lady's Slipper

The Story

Plant Bio

Cypripedium calceolus, yellow lady's slipper orchid, is a slow clumping terrestrial orchid of Europe and Russia, ten to twenty-four inches high. Large pleated leaves alternate up the stem, and each flower carries a bright yellow inflated pouch below twisted maroon-brown petals, held singly or in pairs in late spring.

It is protected across Europe and was reduced to a single wild plant in Britain by collectors, so only ever buy nursery-raised, flask-propagated stock — wild-collected plants are both illegal and doomed, since the roots depend on soil fungi that do not transplant. It is exceptionally slow, taking years from seed to first flower.

Uses & Benefits:

One of the most striking hardy orchids, with a bright yellow pouch and twisted maroon petals.

A long-lived specialist plant that improves slowly over many years once settled.

Bees are the main pollinators, trapped briefly in the pouch and released past the pollen.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

18 inches

Width

14 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe and Russia

Toxicity

Hairs cause contact dermatitis

Planting

How to Grow

Buy only nursery-raised, flask-propagated plants.
Plant in partial shade in humus-rich, alkaline, drained soil.
Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged.
Mulch with leaf mould, keeping it off the crown.
Do not disturb the roots once planted.
Wear gloves; the hairs cause skin irritation.

Pro Tip

Only flask-propagated plants survive — wild-collected orchids die because the roots depend on soil fungi that cannot be moved with them.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Buy flask-propagated stock only 🏷️
Give it alkaline, humus-rich soil 🌱
Mulch with leaf mould 🍂
Wear gloves when handling it 🧤

Don't

Buy wild-collected plants ❌
Disturb the roots ❌
Let the soil dry or waterlog ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Mulch

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specialist woodland and shade plantingAlkaline woodland gardenCollector's orchid bed

Companion Plants

Hellebore Wood Anemone Solomon's Seal HepaticaChristmas Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Yellow Lady's Slipper questions

What zones can Yellow Lady's Slipper grow in?

Yellow Lady's Slipper is hardy in USDA Zones 4–6. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Yellow Lady's Slipper deer resistant?

Yes — Yellow Lady's Slipper is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Yellow Lady's Slipper bloom?

Yellow Lady's Slipper typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Yellow Lady's Slipper need full sun?

Yellow Lady's Slipper does best in part shade.