Overview
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' is a matforming alpine rockery in the genus Corydalis, part of the Papaveraceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, rock garden, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to China.
About
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' is a matforming herbaceous perennial belonging to the genus Corydalis in the Papaveraceae family. It is a deciduous plant that grows to a height and spread of 0.1 to 0.5 metres, reaching full size within 2 to 5 years. This alpine rockery plant thrives in partial shade and can be grown in west-, south-, or east-facing aspects, tolerating both exposed and sheltered conditions. It prefers moist but well-drained soils of various types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels. Its season of interest spans spring and summer.
About the genus
Corydalis is a genus of about 540 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the family Papaveraceae, native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere and the high mountains of tropical eastern Africa. They are most diverse in China and the Himalayas, with at least 357 species in China. Corydalis species are the only dicots having only a single cotyledon.
Wikipedia contributors, "Corydalis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Corydalis
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Corydalis
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Native to
- China
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'
- Cultivation
- Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Suitable for rock gardens and shaded borders. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Pruning
- Remove dead or damaged foliage after flowering to maintain appearance.
- Propagation
- Division in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'?
Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Suitable for rock gardens and shaded borders. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Where is the best place to plant Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'?
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' prefers partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' need?
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How do I prune Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'?
Remove dead or damaged foliage after flowering to maintain appearance.
How big does Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' grow?
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' hardy in the UK?
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'?
Division in autumn.
More in the Corydalis genus
- Corydalis bulbosa
- Corydalis ophiocarpa
- Corydalis scouleriScouler's fumewort
- Corydalis chaerophylla
- Corydalis thalictrifolia
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