Corydalis ochroleuca (pale corydalis) — perennial

Overview

Corydalis ochroleuca is a perennial in the genus Corydalis, part of the Q144723 family. Corydalis ochroleuca grows best in partial shade and full shade, and tolerates well-drained soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include groundcover and rock garden. It is native to SE Europe.

About

Corydalis ochroleuca is a perennial from south-eastern Europe with fern-like grey-green leaves and sprays of white flowers with yellow throats. It flowers in the UK from April to June, producing racemes above the foliage. It prefers partial to full shade and suits moist, well-drained soils. The foliage often remains through winter, providing low-level structure in shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Pseudofumaria alba

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

In the garden

Corydalis ochroleuca is a perennial in the genus Corydalis, native to south-eastern Europe. The plant carries grey-green, finely divided leaves that frequently persist into winter, and bears racemes of white flowers with yellow throats in spring; in the UK the flowering window runs from April to June. Flowers are held on short, branched stems above the foliage, offering clear spring punctuation in shaded corners. Grow it in partial to full shade on a site that stays moist but drains freely; heavy waterlogging should be avoided. As a fully hardy plant in UK conditions (H7), it tolerates winter cold when placed in a sheltered, shaded position. Work organic matter into the planting area to help retain moisture while maintaining good drainage. Pale corydalis is effective as a ground cover beneath deciduous shrubs, tucked into crevices in rock gardens, or to soften the base of stone walls where light is limited. Its spring flowers contrast with the grey-green foliage, and because the leaves often remain through winter, it contributes year-round structure at a low level rather than disappearing after flowering.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Corydalis

Sunlight: partial shade, full shade
Soil type: well-drained
Soil moisture: moist
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Corydalis ochroleuca size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial
Suggested uses: groundcover, rock garden
Native to: SE Europe

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Corydalis ochroleuca

Cultivation: Prefers cool, shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogging.
Pruning: Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming.
Propagation: seed, division