Ulla Silkens.

Closer.

Nice to have a real stand of Ulla Silkens!!

Why won't the rest spread??? They are in the exact same area and I gave them all lime early in May.

Very showy plants everyone. Love the Bletilla striata 'Kuchibeni' and the Cyp. Ulla Silkens.

This is my little stand of Cypripedium parviflorum, this one increases in number each year.

Close up of Cypripedium parviflorum.

Cypripedium x alaskanum, which is a natural cross of Cypripedium guttatum and Cypripedium yatabeanum. Just got this one this spring and didn't expect it to bloom and it may be the only time I see it bloom as it requires extended period of cold. The blooms are very small only about an inch in any direction. It is covered with a quite a bit of mud from heavy downpours we have had.

My Cyp. Michael did not bloom this year, I think slugs may have gotten the only bloom that may have formed.

Love that!! Where do they sell them? I seem to be able to grow guttatum here. Although this year they were suddenly cut to the ground. I thought slugs but then cutworms.

Ken,
the Cyp parviflorum look great! Just gorgeous!
The x alaskanum is very cute! Can you plant it outside? Or would that be too cold in your area?

I got the x alaskanum from Planteck International or Planteck Biotechnologies in Quebec, they seem to use both names.
http://www.planteck.com//en/

Ursula, the x alaskanum has to be planted outside, it requires lots of cold, I was concerned that it might not be cold enough here, but if Kathy has success with guttatum at her location, mine should receive plenty of cold here.

Quoted from Planteck site.
"A natural hybrid between Cypripedium guttatum and C. yatabeanum. This most northern lady’s slipper has an attractive pitcher-shaped pouch, white with purple spotting, prized by collectors. This is an easy one to grow and spreads quickly but requires a longer cold period (minimum 5 months under 4 C or 39 F)."

I guess we will both find out. But the gutatum has come up 2 years in a row and last year was a z5 year (warm). My neighbor who sell LSs was surprised that I could grow guttatum.

Thanks Ken. That is a long, cold dormancy. I wouldn't have guessed.

We took a couple of walks this week to check up on the Platanthera lacera. Last Summer was a tremendous year for them, this year only a very few plants tried to bloom. And it looked way too hot and too dry for those growing out in the open!

It looks to us that Platanthera lacera will not bloom twice from the same plant. The first year one sees a single leaf, the second year perhaps a double-leaf juvenile and the third year we observe spikes. Once they flowered, they are done and we look for single leaves popping up in the surrounding area.

This one grew out in the open meadow.

look at the crispy spike

But then there are beautiful Epipactis helleborine in spike along the walk way through the woods. We saw some nice looking groups with sturdy stems. Hopefully the Deer will leave them in peace....

It's always exciting to see your wild orchids, Ursula. Even when crispy!

We spent some time yesterday and today looking at the Helleborines, they are particularly nice this year. And the Deer didn't touch them!

This one in a different location was very tall, it measured ca 2.5 to 3 feet.

looking closer

I noticed a pollinator and started shooting a bunch of pictures. Will you look at this?