Cypripedium Gisella - Lady Slipper Orchid

Cypripedium 'Gisella' is one of the easiest hybrid Venus Slipper Orchids to cultivate. Its flower has a swollen pink labellum streaked with red, topped with twisted pink-red petals and sepals. This perennial garden orchid has some specific cultivation requirements, which, if properly followed, allow it to thrive in the garden. It prefers a partially shaded exposure in sandy, humus-bearing, slightly acidic soil that remains moist but not waterlogged.

The Cypripedium 'Gisella' belongs to the orchid family. It is a horticultural hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of Cypripedium macranthos native to Siberia, China, and Taiwan, and Cypripedium parviflorum, a North American species morphologically similar to the European species Cypripedium calceolus. It is often found on the edge of moist forests with rich soils.

It is a rhizomatous plant that spreads in colonies over time. Its deciduous vegetation emerges from the ground in spring and disappears in autumn. The Cypripedium 'Gisella' forms a clump of large, reasonably light green leaves, ovate to elliptical, with very prominent parallel veins. This variety typically reaches 50 to 70 cm in our climate when in bloom. Flowering usually occurs in April-May, when the plant is well established, at least 4 or 5 years old. The sturdy and robust flower stem develops directly from the rhizome. It is adorned with leaves at the top. Two to three flowers, rarely four, appear along these tall stems. They have the characteristic shape of Cypripedium flowers and measure approximately 12 cm wide. Each flower consists of narrow, slightly spiralled sepals and petals that dominate an imposing 'slipper' labellum, which is very swollen. Depending on the flowers, the flower colour is more or less dark pink-red, with darker veins. The entire plant is covered in a fine down that can be allergenic and irritating to the skin for some people. These hairs host a symbiotic fungus. During winter, the foliage disappears, and the plant persists as a rhizome.

The Cypripedium 'Gisella' is a perfectly hardy variety that multiplies rapidly in pots and the garden as long as the conditions are suitable. It thrives on the forest's edge, preferring a light soil that retains some moisture without being waterlogged. Plant it in a location with not too intense shade, in a cool rockery, an ideal habitat for it to thrive and beautify your garden with its unique presence. Pair it with a simple fern like Polypodium vulgare along with the flowering of Trilliums and Lamium orvala. It also thrives in containers and unheated greenhouses. It is a plant that dislikes heat, drought, and strong winds.

When you receive your orchids, handle them with care: these plants produce few roots and are delicate!