GROWING INFORMATION

For Lady Slippers, Anemonopsis, Glaucidium, Paeonia japonica, Trillium grandiflorum:

Light: Morning or evening sun is okay, but plants should be shaded in midday.  High open shade or the shade of the north side of a building will work very well.

Soil: Should be evenly moist but well-drained with lime added.  A layer of mulch is very beneficial; we use bark or pine needles with a dusting of lime.  It will keep the soil cool and evenly moist.  The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely, especially during the first year as plants are getting established.  Depending on the soil you are starting with, you may want to augment it.  If your soil is a heavy clay you will want to loosen it up by adding sharp sand and humus (rotten bark, leaf mold, or well-aged compost).  If, on the other hand, your soil is a dry open sandy type, you would want to add loam and humus

Fertilizer: When planted in a good rich soil, fertilizer is not always necessary.  However, you may wish to try a yearly spring application of a granular organic fertilizer.  If you like to actively fertilize, you can apply a quarter-strength liquid fertilizer every 7 to 10 day from spring until mid-August.

Planting: Plants should be planted with the tips of their buds just below the surface when mulch is used, or a little deeper if not.  Lady Slippers should be planted with their roots spread out in the top four inches of the soil.  Their roots tend to grow horizontally, and only go deeper in dry conditions.  Care should be taken when planting that the roots are not exposed to the sun or drying wind.

For Arisaema/Cobra lily:

Light, Soil, Fertilizer: As above except they do not need lime added to the soil. 

Planting: Bulbs are best planted around 3 inches deep.

Site Last Updated: 04/05/2010