Cypripedium season has begun in the Mid-Atlantic (Baltimore, Maryland). For me the first one up every year is Cypripedium formosanum. Should be in bloom by mid-April. It has been reliable grower here for about 5 years, planted in a raised bed beneath arborvitae trees. Soil was amended with Turface and Espoma Soil Perfector when built. Each year it receives a top dressing of pine needles, wood chips, more Turface and Soil Perfector. As per Frosch's recommendation, it gets a handful of Espoma Bulb Tone each year (not recommended for all Cyps, but formosana likes it).
