Calypso bulbosa

RHS Plant Profile

Calypso orchid

RHS

Other common names

bog orchid, fairy slipper orchid

Conservatory Greenhouse Alpine Rockery

A small, terrestrial orchid with one broad, oval leaf 12cm long. In summer, a slender, upright stem bears a solitary, nodding, fragrant flower 2.5cm across with reddish-purple upper petals and white lips.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: N Eurasia, N Am.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cold greenhouse, or alpine house, in terrestrial orchid compost with added leaf mould and charcoal, in filtered light.

Propagation

Propagate by carefully separating corms in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free