Meet Ulla

This is Cypripedium "Ulla Silkens". She's a bit pale around the lip still because she only came out today:




Cypripedium "Ulla Silkens" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden )






Cypripedium "Ulla Silkens" ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden )



This lovely lady is a cross between the American C. regina and the Chinese C. flavum. She was bred in Sweden by Svante Malmgren in 1996. He immediately saw her as a special beauty and named her after his wife, or so the story goes.

Both her parents are rather difficult to grow, but in my experience this particular lady is a lot easier. She likes moist, alkaline soil, and a bit of shade as well, but here with me she's in full sun for most of the day and seems to enjoy that. Our sun isn't particularly bright compared to gardens further south.

When we got her three years ago, she only had one spike. Now she's got four, and they've all got buds. I'm very proud of the fact that she likes it in our garden.

 

Hello Ulla. She is a rather gorgeous lady.

 

Well, you've done it again, Droopy!--You have a successful planting there. Four spikes--WOW! It looks like it is growing in a sort of orchid bed there. Do I see it correctly?
Anyway--it is a gorgeous flower. Congratulations. You should get the "green thumb of the year award".

 

Gorgeous!!

 

What a wonderful lady you have there.She is really gorgeous.I love plants that are different and she sure is.Thanks for the posts.

 

She's very beautiful and has an interesting lineage. Her "friends" in the garden are pretty too.
Lovely.

 

Thanks for liking our "Ulla". I'm getting to like orchids, but I don't think I'm going to try for a big orchid border. I'll leave that to the experts I think.

 

She is beautiful!, I havent tried hardy orchids yet but am tempted by a couple and she is lovely. Well done on growing her so well and 4 spikes well wow! what an achievement. Thank you for sharing her with us.

 

Thank you, playtime. I know about some orchid vendors in England, and if I were you I'd definately give them a try.

 

Congratulations on your success! She's a beautiful flower. You must be a proud Mama.

 

She is wonderful Droopy, thanks for introducing us to her.

 

You're welcome. I'm very proud and I know it shows.

 

Lovely to meet you Ulla! Just beautiful.

 

Yes, isn't she? We're very pleased with her this year.