Growing Guide
 
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Corydalis

Herbaceous Perennial Flower

Corydalis lutea
Fumariaceae Family
Synonym: Pseudofumaria lutea

Hardy only to Zone 5, this fern-like plant will thrive and spread in shady sites that are moist but well-drained. Lacey pale blue-green foliage tiny, tubular yellow flowers with long blooming season brighten up somber spots.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • part shade
  • full shade
Will tolerate full sun but plants will show scorching if not enough moisture.

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
  • tolerates damp soil
Prefers rich, moist but well-drained soil. Drainage critical for overwintering.

Hardiness zones:

  • 5 to 7

Special locations:

  • rock gardens
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Under the right conditions, Corydalis will thrive with little attention or care. But it will be short-lived despite your best efforts without the right combination of sun, moisture and drainage.

Height: 1 to 1.5 feet

Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet

Bloom time:

  • early summer
  • mid-summer
  • late summer
  • early fall

Flower color: yellow

Golden yellow.

Foliage color:

  • light green
  • blue-green

Pale blue-green.

Foliage texture: fine

Fernlike foliage.

Shape: cushion, mound or clump

Forms neat mounds.

Shape in flower: flower stalks with flowers hanging downward

Tiny, tubular flowers borne in loose, open, slightly pendulous clusters on erect stems.

Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • deer resistant
  • aggressive - This plant is an aggressive self-sower, and can be weedy under optimal conditions.
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Native to Europe.
  • evergreen - Basal foliage may remain evergreen.
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, division or separation - Plants self-sow prolifically. Purchased seed often has poor, erratic germination. Collect fresh seed and plant in containers in fall. Seed should germinate well the following spring.

Divide in spring or early fall.

Maintenance and care:
Deadhead to prevent self-sowing and prolong bloom.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials