Category: Orchid

Yellow Lady Slipper

Is there anything else so beautiful? Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum). A trek in Shenandoah National Park is pure joy no matter what, but add a sighting of this native orchid and I’m more than elated. But it’s not just in Virginia.

This species of Yellow Lady’s slipper can be found in much of North America from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and Washington, all the way south to Georgia, and Arizona.  Even in New Mexico it can occasionally be found in moist conifer forests, at elevations between 5,750 and 11,000 ft. And in the garden? Bad news. A favorite of deer.

Putty Root Orchid

An orchid that is native to eastern and central U.S., and Canada. Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale).


The world of Mother Nature is always filled with surprises. This plant provides one of those surprises. Its growth timing seems backward. In autumn the plant sends up ONE basal leaf to collect dappled sunlight during the fall, winter and spring. That leaf may grow to be as much as eight inches long. The top side of the unusual leaf is green with thin white stripes, the under side is purplish. Spring approaches, the leaf will fade.


Come late spring that single leaf will be totally withered away and in its place will grow a solitary flowering stalk that can rise to be perhaps ten inches tall.

Without striking colors, the leaf is more noticeable than the flowers. Still, it’s a native orchid. Remarkable.