March 26 1964 THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Hardy Cypripcdiums. 
The various species of liardy Cypripodiums may be termed 
terrestrial Orchids, as all of them grow in moist, peaty, or 
boggy soils on the ground, never on trees or rooks. Some of 
them are found wild in situations that are practically boggy, 
and such species might be grown in that ’way in this country, 
but it will probably answer quite as well, if not better, if 
they are grown in prepared situations, where the soil an inch 
or two below the surface will be kept continuously moist by 
the presence of water in the vicinity, either in the form of a 
running stream, pond, or other piece of ornamental water. 
This will be unnecessary, however, if they are planted in a 
peaty soil in situations shaded from the sun after 10 or 
11 o’clock in the morning. If planted where the roots have 
access to an artificial supply of water, it would be advisable to 
lower the level of this water during the winter’ months, or t o 
stop the supply altogether until the weather becomes warm in 
early summer and the plants have recommenced growth 
naturally. 
■Hitherto less attention has been] given to the cultivation of 
hardy Cypripediums than their beauty 
would warrant. It is true that they bloom 
only once a year, but they are fairly 
durable, and very few, if any, would deny 
their real beauty, whether we regard them 
as Orchids or as members of the great class 
of hardy plants. It is not everyone who 
has given them a slight trial that*lias suc¬ 
ceeded, but possibly the situation selected 
and the treatment given has not in many 
cases been suitable. We believe that when 
once their real nature is understood that 
with proper cultivation they would con¬ 
tinue to grow and increase from year to 
year, instead of gradually dying away. 
They may also be grown in pots or deep 
pans, and, with sympathetic care and atten¬ 
tion, can be made to increase under that 
form, of treatment. No more interesting 
colony of plants could be introduced to the 
cool Orchid house or to a shady corner of 
the conservator} 7 than liardy Cypripe- 
diums when in bloom. Their quaint forms 
and the contrast of colours are quite as 
beautiful and interesting as many of the 
species which are introduced from warmer 
countries and have evergreen leathery 
leaves and require' the accommodation of an 
Orchid house. 
Hardy species have rather thin leaves, and 
are perfectly deciduous, dying down eveiy 
autumn, and leaving no trace of their 
existence, except the buds on the rhizomes 
beneath the soil, which will renew the 
growth in the succeeding summer. 
Cypripedium Calceolus. —The above species is known as 
the common Lady’s Slipper, for the simple reason that it is 
best known in Europe. It is recorded from three English 
counties, but many are of the opinion that it ha® become 
exterminated in this country. It is still found, however, in 
continental Europe, and supplies frequently reach this country 
from that source. Our illustration shows a. colony of this 
species on the rockery at Kew, where it bloomed splendidly 
last year in a fairly dry but shady situation in front of hardy 
Ferns. A Pine tree shades it from the sun from an early 
period of the day, so that this would show how easily it may 
be grown when planted in, a proper situation and simply let 
alone. 
The sepals and twisted petals are; reddish-brown, while the 
inflated lip is of a, soft but decided yellow, thus at once form¬ 
ing a strong contrast. The leaves are decidedly plaited, as 
in most hardy species, and remain in good condition till after 
the flowers have faded. The stem varies from 12 in. to 18 in. 
in height, according to the vigour of the plants and the 
suitability of their situation, though 12 in. is a fair average 
height. 
C. spectabile. -Many cultivators and admirers of this 
class of plants are of the opinion that this is; far and away 
the finest hardy species. We shall not pretend to dispute that 
point, for it is indeed a very handsome plant, both foliage 
and flower. The; sepals and petals are broadly ovate and pure 
white, thus setting off by contrast 'the rich rose odour of the 
lip. The latter organ is of large size for a Cypripedium, very 
much inflated, and almost globular. The leafy stems are 
usually about 18 in. in height in this country, although in 
their native home of North America they sometimes attain 
twice tint height. The leaves are similar to those of C. 
Calceolus, in being very much plicate, but they are relatively 
shorter and more numerous. In a moist, shady situation in 
a peaty soil it will give the utmost satisfaction, and come up 
every year. In its native country it grows in half-shaded 
sphagnum bogs. Here it comes into bloom in June. 
C, humile. — This also 1 is a North American specie®, best, 
known in gardens under the name of C. acaule, on account of 
its very dwarf stature. The sepals and petals are greenish, and 
shorter than the lip. The latter is of very large size, cleft 
down the middle in a very strange way, of a warm rose, and 
spotted with purple. In accordance with its dwarf stature, it 
has only two leaves, which are broad and of a light green 
colour, while the very short flower stem arises from between 
them and carries a solitary bloom. It is by no- means very 
common, but a white or albino; variety has been seen. 
C. pubescens. — In size and colour this is undoubtedly 
a strong rival to the European C. Calceolus. The sepals and 
petals are of a dull yellowish brown, with darker lines. The 
pale yellow lip is flattened at the sides, and therefore less 
inflated than, our native species. The sepals are narrow and 
beautifully twisted, while; they are longer than the lip. 
Although it may grow to a height of 2 ft. in its native country, 
North America, it does not usually exceed 12 in. here unless 
unusually strong. It may be grown equally well in the open 
or ini pots, and may be treated precisely like those above 
mentioned. 
Cypripedium Calceolus : Sepals and petals brown, lip yellow. 
