Pink Lady Slippers

The Pink Lady Slipper is a rare orchid that grows only under ideal environmental conditions like found within the Appalachian mountains.

They prefer a cool, damp environment and soil with lots of decomposing trees and brush.

They take root among wild ferns, with streams nearby. When stumbling upon a patch of Pink Lady Slippers, it’s like walking into fairy land.

Ladyslippers grew like weeds on Stone Creek Ridge.

Esther and her grandchild, Charlie picked some each May and carried them around in bouquets as if they were Dandy Lions.

They stand on a stem almost 8" long. Two large light-green leaves support the base of the stem, and at the top is a tissue like floral bulb in the shape of an Indian Moccasin.

Esther attempted to dig up the roots and plant some in her garden, but they seemed only to want to grow in a certain patch of woodland found in the holler, down by the pond.

One day, while walking hand in hand with Esther, Charlie spotted two yellow Lady Slippers among all the pink ones.

Esther and her grandchild felt magic when spotting those two slippers. They refused to pick them, but held them in the palm of their hands like fairies.