Cypripedium formosanum

Cypripedium formosanum (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Part shade to shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Orchidaceae

Subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Cypripedium formosanum is a deciduous bulbous orchid with a spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are flabellate, pleated with entire margins, up to 13cm long and 11cm across. Its white flowers have pink spots, are pendulous, appear terminally and up to 5cm long. Its roots contain stoloniferous rhizomes which aids its slow spread.

Cypripedium formosanum Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Cypripedium formosanum, commonly known as Formosan Lady’s Slippers or Beautiful Cypripedium, is native to Taiwan. In its native habitat it grows in mountain forests and bogs. Cypripedium formosanum is classified as Endangered according to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The etymological root of the binomial name Cypripedium is derived from the Greek Kypris, a name for Aphrodite and podilon meaning ‘slipper’.  Formosanum is derived from the former name of Taiwan, Formosa.

The landscape architect may find Cypripedium formosanum useful as a low growing perennial bulb with attractive flowers and leaves.

Cypripedium formosanum Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Cypripedium formosanum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given  Cypripedium formosanum their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Cypripedium formosanum prefers moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Cypripedium formosanum requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided during its dormant period.



Landscape Architecture

Cymbidium goeringii

Cymbidium goeringii (18/04/2015, Imperial Palace East Garden, Tokyo, Japan)

Position: Dappled shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Orchidaceae

Cymbidium goeringii is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are strap shaped with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 1cm across. Its fragrant green flower is up to 5cm across and appear terminally on a flower stalk which is up to 25cm long. Its fruit is a vertically growing seed pod. Its roots are thick and fleshy and attached to pseudobulbs.

Cymbidium goeringii Flower (18/04/2015, Imperial Palace East Garden, Tokyo, Japan)

Cymbidium goeringii, commonly known as Noble Orchid or Shunran, is native to the Himalayan regions, south west China, Taiwan, Japan and south Korea. In its native habitat it grows in moist woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Cymbidium is derived from the Greek kumbe meaning boat ‘shaped’. Goeringii is named after Philip Friedrich Wilhelm Goering (1809 – 1879), a German botanist.

Cymbidium goeringii Leaf (18/04/2015, Imperial Palace East Garden, Tokyo, Japan)

The landscape architect may find Cymbidium goeringii useful as an unusual addition to a woodland understory planting scheme.

Ecologically, Cymbidium goeringii is of little value to UK wildlife.

Cymbidium goeringii prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Cymbidium goeringii requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Dactylorhiza praetermissa

Dactylorhiza praetermissa (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, damp

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Orchidaceae

Dactylorhiza praetermissa is a bulbous herbaceous perennial with an upright habit. Its mid green leaves are strap shaped with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 5cm broad. Its pale lilac to dark pink flowers are typical in form of those of the Orchard family and appear as a terminal spike. Its roots are a bulbous tuber.

Dactylorhiza praetermissa Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Dactylorhiza praetermissa, commonly known as the Southern Marsh Orchid, is native to North Sea and English Channel coasts (including the UK). In its native habitat it grows in wet dunes, fens and damp meadows.

The etymological root of the binomial name Dactylorhiza is derived from the Greek daktulos meaning ‘finger’ and riza meaning ‘root’. Praetermissa is derived from the Latin praetermissus meaning ‘overlooked’.

The landscape architect may find Dactylorhiza praetermissa useful as an attractive marginal plant in boggy ground.

Ecologically, Dactylorhiza praetermissa is attractive to pollinating insects.

Dactylorhiza praetermissa Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Dactylorhiza praetermissa prefers moist, marshy, damp soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils or soils which are inundated with water for long periods.

Dactylorhiza praetermissa requires little maintenance.