Did you ever imagine that you could grow an orchid - in Calgary - in the garden - and it will survive the winter? I am here to tell you that YES you can.
I first saw these beauties at the Reader Rock Garden. The large yellow lady slipper orchid is actually native to all provinces in Canada. This perennial terrestrial orchid is most commonly found in moist forests across the region. This plant prefers a semi-shaded site that is cool and not exposed to hot mid-day sun. Conditions suitable for ferns are suitable for hardy orchids. An organic mulch will assist the plant in maintaining moisture and keeping the roots cool.
Here's a photo taken at Weaselhead Park in Calgary:
I first saw these beauties at the Reader Rock Garden. The large yellow lady slipper orchid is actually native to all provinces in Canada. This perennial terrestrial orchid is most commonly found in moist forests across the region. This plant prefers a semi-shaded site that is cool and not exposed to hot mid-day sun. Conditions suitable for ferns are suitable for hardy orchids. An organic mulch will assist the plant in maintaining moisture and keeping the roots cool.
Here's a photo taken at Weaselhead Park in Calgary:
Cypripedium parviflorum v. pubescens
Another orchid, the showy lady's slipper or Queen's lady's slipper is my favorite. This variety is found in nature in Saskatchewan and eastward in Canada. Each stem can have 3 flowers and the plant approaches 1 m tall! The purple-pink lip of the flowers are gorgeous against the crisp white petals. What a beauty.
Here's my own personal Queen's lady's slipper orchid. I plan on adding additional plants to my garden next year.
Here's my own personal Queen's lady's slipper orchid. I plan on adding additional plants to my garden next year.
Cypripedium reginae
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