Does the UBC garden have any Cyrpripediums in it? What kind of cultivation advice (soil/exposure/watering etc.) can anyone offer for C. calceolus pubescens or Cypripediums in general in the Vancouver area?
Actually, no, UBCBG does not have any cypripedium in its collection.. partly because these are very expensive plants! One of the good places to see some magnificent specimens is at the Alpine Garden Club show at Van Dusen Gardens, usually the 2nd weekend in April. C. calceolus var. pubescens does best in shade to bright shade in humous rich, sandy soil with good drainage. Fraser Thimble Farm on Saltspring Island sell a large selection of cypripedium, from divisions and laboratory raised seedlings. Their web site is www.thimblefarms.com
