About

Corydalis lutea, yellow corydalis, is an evergreen, clump-forming, tap-rooted perennial to around 30 cm with attractive, pale-green, divided, fern-like foliage and clusters of slender, bright-yellow, spurred, tubular flowers produced continuously from late spring into summer. One of the most free-flowering of all shade-tolerant perennials � excellent for naturalising in walls, paving cracks or rocky banks.

About the genus

Corydalis are annuals, biennials and tuberous or rhizomatous perennials with ternately or pinnately divided, fern-like foliage and racemes of spurred, two-lipped, tubular flowers in yellow, white, pink, purple or blue. They range from spring-flowering woodlanders to shade-tolerant evergreen perennials and choice alpine bulbs.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Gravel garden
Native toEurope

Care notes

CultivationGrows best in a moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free
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