Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium pubescens)
Cypripedium pubescens, commonly known as Yellow Lady’s Slipper, is a native perennial orchid found in moist woodlands, forested slopes, and shaded areas throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soils and prefers partial to light shade.
This striking plant features large, showy, yellow flowers with a distinct "slipper" shape, typically blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are usually borne on tall, slender stems that rise above the foliage, and the plant's dark green, lance-shaped leaves form a lush, attractive ground cover.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Cypripedium pubescens is a rare and prized addition to shaded woodland gardens, offering beauty and interest in early summer. It provides important habitat for pollinators, though it can be slow to establish and requires careful cultivation due to its specialized growing conditions.
Cypripedium pubescens, commonly known as Yellow Lady’s Slipper, is a native perennial orchid found in moist woodlands, forested slopes, and shaded areas throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soils and prefers partial to light shade.
This striking plant features large, showy, yellow flowers with a distinct "slipper" shape, typically blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are usually borne on tall, slender stems that rise above the foliage, and the plant's dark green, lance-shaped leaves form a lush, attractive ground cover.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Cypripedium pubescens is a rare and prized addition to shaded woodland gardens, offering beauty and interest in early summer. It provides important habitat for pollinators, though it can be slow to establish and requires careful cultivation due to its specialized growing conditions.
Cypripedium pubescens, commonly known as Yellow Lady’s Slipper, is a native perennial orchid found in moist woodlands, forested slopes, and shaded areas throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soils and prefers partial to light shade.
This striking plant features large, showy, yellow flowers with a distinct "slipper" shape, typically blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are usually borne on tall, slender stems that rise above the foliage, and the plant's dark green, lance-shaped leaves form a lush, attractive ground cover.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Cypripedium pubescens is a rare and prized addition to shaded woodland gardens, offering beauty and interest in early summer. It provides important habitat for pollinators, though it can be slow to establish and requires careful cultivation due to its specialized growing conditions.
Bloom: late spring to early summer
Habitats: forested bogs; moist to dry deciduous woodlands; sandy woodlands and savannas; thinly wooded bluffs along rivers; wooded slopes
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist to slightly dry
Plant type (height): forb (1 to 2.5 feet)
Requirements: partial sun to light shade
Soil: loam; sandy loam