Corydalis
(Revised 1 Feb 2011)
This is a delicate and elegant class of perennials like their relative, Dicentra. The blue flower varieties are particularly precious, but they are not the easiest to grow here. Some of them tend to self-sow wildly particularly Corydalis ‘Lutea’. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to weed.
(I should note that recent taxonomic changes have resulted in the reclassification of Corydalis lutea as Pseudofumaria lutea, and Corydalis ochroleuca as Pseudofumaria alba (not even in the same tribe as Dicentra and Corydalis). These changes are based on molecular study, and aim to reflect their evolutionary relationship.)
Corydalis buschii
This exquisite corydalis will come early in spring, do its show, and then disappear until next spring. That brief appearance is enough to make me eagerly look forward to see its return again.
Corydalis buschii
Corydalis buschii
Corydalis elata
This blue Corydalis is more forgiving than the other blue forms in my area. It is also bigger in size.
Corydalis elata mingled with Corydalis taliensis
Corydalis elata
Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’
This is another exquisite Corydalis, but it is not easy to please. Although it has hung around for a few years, it remains small and weak (partly because of neglect and crowding by other plants neaxt to it).
Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda'
Corydalis flexuosa ‘Purple Leaf’
The is another relatively easy going blue Corydalis, and is more compact and delicate like the ‘Blue Panda’. The blue flowers have more purple colour in them.
Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'
Corydalis lutea
This is a weedy Corydalis that self-sows wildly. I tried to keep them in check by confining them in specific beds under Acers and other shrubs.
Corydalis 'Lutea'
Corydalis ochroleuca
This pretty Corydalis self-sows quite readily, but not as bad as the ‘Lutea’.
Corydalis ochroleuca
Corydalis taliensis
This corydalis self-sows readily but not as bad the the ‘Lutea’. Its flowers are pretty but it has lose structure which is annoying.
Corydalis taliensis
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Only two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity, and I am not sure of the former.
- Albert Einstein
Without a doubt, this is my ‘signature’ genus, especially the blue flowering species. Have you tried, Corydalis ‘Wildside Blue’ yet? It is a seeding from the gardens of Keith Wiley, is similar to C. elata, but is a more robust plant and for me it bloomed prolifically for the better part of August [when I brought it home from Lost Horizons] until frost knocked it down.
Teza, Indeed corydalis is one of my most treasured genera as well. I did acquired ‘Wildside Blue’ from LH last spring. It appears vigorous like elata. I also acquired a few others varieties from the Thimble Farms, but the voles had been very active around them. I hope at least some of them will come back next spring. There are so many different blue corydalis shown in the book ‘Bleeding Hearts, Corydalis and Their Relatives’ that I would love to invite into my garden. Please let me know when you come across any in your many annual ‘plant acquisition’ trips.