Ladyslipper Heaven

Cypripedium montanum

While visiting with my gardening friends Michael and Amanda Wharton in Montana a few days ago, he casually mentioned he'd befriended a botanist on a trail in Glacier National Park who'd told him where there were scads of white ladyslippers blooming. I've been lucky enough to have seen scads of these once at Swift Dam in Montana--but jumped at the chance to re-experience ladyslipper heaven. Michael shared the location (at a campground no less!) and off we went. It was less than a mile off our itinerary towards Calgary. The site exceeded our fondest expectations: I have no doubt there were thousands of plants blooming there. I have never had my fill of "Cyps"-- so I am sharing a few of the many pictures I took there of them and a few of their companions. I think they speak for themselves!

A few had gone over and even had seedpods from last year!

Anemone multifida grew among them

As did this Erigeron (speciosus?)

Rosa woodsii

I COULD go on you know...