Rewardless flowering plants may bloom early to take advantage of naïve pollinators and avoid competition with rewarding species. However, at high latitudes, this strategy may be constrained by the shorter growing season. I surveyed Cypripedium candidum populations to determine if reproductive success is correlated with latitude. At 21 sites, in four regions (Iowa, southern Minnesota, northern Minnesota, and Manitoba), I assessed the composition of the co-flowering community and C. candidum’s fruiting success. At 15 sites, I surveyed the insect community and quantified orchid flower morphology. As latitude increased, so did the diversity of plants and insects, but all regions shared many common taxa. Pollinating insects at higher latitudes were often too large to pollinate C. candidum, and more appropriately-sized insects were found further south. Fruiting success was highest in Iowa and was associated with a warmer growing season, a decrease in potential co-flowering competitors and an increase in facilitators.