Mountain Lady's-slipper
Cypripedium montanum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
8"–24" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, ID, MT, OR and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Mountain lady's-slipper is a rare native orchid with distinctive pouch-shaped white and purple flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. This woodland perennial grows in small clumps with broad, pleated leaves and requires consistent moisture and partial shade. It goes completely dormant in fall, disappearing until the following spring.
In an HOA neighborhood
Mountain Lady's-slipper takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Completely disappears when dormant leaving bare soil
- Extremely rare and expensive specialty plant
- Requires very specific growing conditions
Wildlife value
The unique flower structure attracts native bees, particularly bumblebees that become temporarily trapped and must crawl through the bloom to escape, ensuring pollination.
Common questions
- How much sun does Mountain Lady's-slipper need?
- Mountain Lady's-slipper grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Mountain Lady's-slipper bloom?
- Mountain Lady's-slipper blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Mountain Lady's-slipper native?
- Mountain Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium montanum) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 2 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Mountain Lady's-slipper attract?
- Mountain Lady's-slipper draws bees.
- Is Mountain Lady's-slipper HOA-friendly?
- Mountain Lady's-slipper takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Mountain Lady's-slipper? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz