Manihot grahamii Cypripedium if the drainage isn't excellent

if the drainage isn't excellent

silvery flower buds

the tips turn outward within days and the yellow flowers burst forth in a spectacular display

it finally starts to develop a short trunk

which are nestled just atop the foliage in mid-April (NC)

Manihot grahamii Cypripedium if the drainage isn't excellentThis amazing "hardy tropical" was shared by our friend, the late Alan Galloway, who found this plant completely hardy for many years in his Raleigh, NC, garden. Related to the more tropical and edible Manihot esculenta, the South American native Manihot grahamii dies to the ground in winter, but quickly resprouts and will reach 8 10' tall by the end of the season. This woody perennial is topped with artistically cut green leaves that remain only near