Overview
Cardamine triphylla is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Cardamine, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Cardamine triphylla grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include wildlife gardens.
About
Cardamine triphylla, commonly known as three-leaved toothwort, is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Brassicaceae family. This deciduous plant thrives in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to full shade, and adapts well to different soil types including loam, clay, chalk, and sand, with a preference for moist but well-drained or poorly-drained soils. It produces short racemes of four-petalled flowers in spring and summer, contributing to wildlife gardens. Hardy to UK zone H4, it can be propagated by seed or division and prefers fertile, well-drained soil for cultivation.
About the genus
Cardamine is a large genus of flowering plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae, known as bittercresses and toothworts. It contains more than 200 species of annuals and perennials. Species in this genus can be found in diverse habitats worldwide, except the Antarctic.
Wikipedia contributors, "Cardamine", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cardamine
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Cardamine
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay, Chalk, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- North, South, East, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Cardamine triphylla size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Cardamine triphylla
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to club root
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Cardamine triphylla?
Cardamine triphylla prefers full sun, partial shade and full shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Cardamine triphylla need?
Cardamine triphylla is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, clay, chalk and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to poorly-drained.
Is Cardamine triphylla hardy in the UK?
Cardamine triphylla has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Cardamine triphylla?
Seed, Division.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.