Cypripedium japonicum Malvaviscus From England's Blooms of Bressingham

From England's Blooms of Bressingham comes this wonderful hybrid poker that has performed superbly in the heat of the southeastern US

At the onset of cool nights in fall

In late May and early June

sums up its namesake well

The clumps are adorned at the leaf bases with September-produced

Cypripedium japonicum Malvaviscus From England's Blooms of BressinghamI'll never forget the time I saw my first Cypripedium japonicum orchid at the US National Arboretum. I had never seen anything quite this beautiful. The spectacular, heavily pleated green leaves of Cypripedium japonicum resemble a Japanese hand fan opened horizontally atop a 6" tall stem. Held just above the foliage is a scrumptious pink ladyslipper like flower. As you can imagine, the supply of these nursery propagated plants is very limited.