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We,
like many other plantaholics, have fallen under the spell of these
perky little denizens of forest and mountain. What gardener with a
heart and soul could resist
their spring flowers, whose winged petals with upswept spurs suggest
a flight of elfin butterflies? Or, for that matter, their lacily
divided leaves, which come in a kaleidoscope of colors from gray to
deep green? As a tribe
that hails from diverse habitats across much of the northern
hemisphere, Corydalis includes at least a few species for any
garden, whatever its circumstances. Gardeners with shade and summer
rain can select from the bounty of species that inhabit the woodlands
of Europe, east Asia, and North America. Conversely, those who garden
in rocky or sandy soil or in dry-summer areas can explore the diversity
of the Mediterranean and central Asian species. Not that you have to
restrict yourself to species from similar climes. Indeed, as long as
they are buffered from summer heat and drought (the woodlanders) or
from excess summer moisture (the Mediterranean and steppe natives),
most
corydalis will succeed in climates that depart from that of their home
range (some corydaphiles even dig the tubers in summer to keep them
sufficiently dry). For all these reasons and more, Corydalis should be a
staple of any
bulb garden (or bulb frame). |
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| Corydalis angustifolia
~ This charming woodlander bears numerous creamy-white, purple-"nosed"
flowers on 4-inch stems clad with airy, deeply cleft, grass-green
leaves. Self-fertile, it will increase by self-sowing, but not
invasively (except in pots). Because its range includes central Asian
steppe, it will need more light and a drier summer "rest" than do most
other woodland species. Modified continental/steppe; Caucasus to N
Iran. Zone 4. Enter quantity:
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1/$12
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| Corydalis angustifolia 'Thalysh Dawn'
~ A Ruksans selection of this charming woodlander, bearing pink-suffused, purple-snouted
flowers on 4-inch stems clad with airy, deeply cleft, grass-green
leaves. Self-fertile, it will increase by self-sowing, but not
invasively (except in pots). Because it is from central Asian
steppe, it will need more light and a drier summer "rest" than do most
other woodland species. Steppe; Azerbiajan. Zone 4. Enter quantity:
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1/$13
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| Corydalis buschii
~ Corydalis are like Vivaldi concertos: just when you think
you've discovered them all, a few more turn up somewhere. This recent
introduction is valuable not only for its bright red-purple flowers on
6-inch stems, but also for its time of bloom — late May. It
flourishes in partial shade and non-alkaline soil, spreading by stolons
to form colonies. Modified continental; E Russia to N Korea. Zone 4.
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1/$5.50 |
| Corydalis densiflora
~ We've been after this comely relative of C. solida for quite some time, and finally have some to offer (and a few to keep for ourselves!). The pale-pink flowers are ornamented with darker pink veins and purple-pink lipstick. Mediterranean/montane; S Italy. Zone 6.
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1/$12 |
| Corydalis fumariifolia
~ Here is a lead member of the Corydalis Caerulean Chorus (as all corydaphiles know, this is one genus that REALLY knows how to sing the blues). In temperament, however, it's far from a diva -- it won't throw (or provoke) apoplectic fits as long as it gets some shade and adequate moisture. These are seedlings, so expect some variation in color, from pale sky-blue to deep violet-blue. As always, it's in high demand and short suppy. Modified continental; NE Asia. Zone 5.
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1/$18
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 Corydalis glaucescens
'Early Beauty'
~ This pale-pink-flowered selection is especially valuable for its extremely early bloom season (March & early April). Steppe; C Asia. Zone 4.
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1/$12 |
 Corydalis glaucescens
'Medeo'
~ In this equally alluring but somewhat later-blooming version of C.
glaucescens,
the white petals bear a rose-lilac central stripe. Steppe; C Asia. Zone
4.
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1/$9 |
 Corydalis glaucescens
'Pink Beauty'
~ Yet another gorgeous take on this many-splendored species, bearing
copious quantities of soft-pink flowers, in perfect counterpoint to the
gray
foliage. Striking. Steppe; C Asia. Zone 4.
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1/$9 |
 Corydalis kusnetzovii
~ It's like a pink-suffused C.
vittae, which if
you're a corydaphile should have you scrambling for your checkbook. If
you're not a corydaphile, perhaps you haven't experienced this
species. It's never too late to start a new plant addiction. Modified
continental;
NW Caucasus, SW Russia. Zone 5.
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1/$10
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 Corydalis nudicaulis
~ "Elegant and distinct" (Lidén & Zetterlund), this recently
introduced species – with airy, many-flowered clusters of slender,
long-spurred, white, chocolate-dipped flowers in early April on 6-inch
stems
– is high on every corydaphile's wishlist. Quite adaptable, it
prefers full to partial sun and humus-rich, sharply drained soil.
Steppe;
Tajikistan. Zone 5.
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1/$12 |
| Corydalis paschei
~ Bulb hunter and corydalis guru Erich Pasche gave his name to this "vigorous and handsome species" (Lidén & Zetterlund), so you know it has to be a beauty. Soft-pink flowers with broad-flaring lips and purple-blotched noses bow from unusually long pedicels in April. Mediterranean; SW Turkey. Zone5.
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1/$14 |
| Corydalis ruksansii
~ Any corydalis named after Janis Ruksans, corydalis guru, has to be good. This is. The flowers resemble those of C. nudicaulis, but with the chocolate coloration confined to their tips, giving them a rather endearing "button nose" look. Ruksans' corydalis should succeed throughout much of the U.S. if given ample sun and good drainage. Steppe; Tadjikistan. Zone 5.
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1/$17
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 Corydalis schanginii
ssp. ainae
~ We know we are going to trigger outbreaks of corydalis lust by
offering this "gem of the genus" (Lidén & Zetterlund), but
that is our job, after all. The long (up to 1.5-inch), slender flowers
have clear golden-yellow, purple-tipped "snouts" and twisting, pale
pink or white spurs – an arresting color scheme. Completing the picture
are the purple stems and fleshy gray leaves. A masterpiece. Given sharp
drainage and ample light, it should succeed outdoors in most
cold-winter areas of the U.S. Steppe; Kazakhstan. Zone 4.
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1/$16 |
 Corydalis schanginii
ssp. schanginii
~ If it's possible for any corydalis to be more magnificent than C.
schanginii ssp. ainae, here it is. Swarms of
enormous (by corydaline standards) flowers of soft rose-pink (with
contrasting purple veins and tips) crowd long racemes above a
complement of fleshy gray leaves. Although it demands perfect drainage
and full sun, especially if it is to survive in the open garden in
moist-summer areas, it is well worth every effort. Steppe; S Russia to
W Mongolia. Zone 4.
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1/$11 |
 Corydalis solida reddish seedlings ~ An assortment of ruddy-flowered seedlings of C. solida, at a nice price. As with most of the corydalis, it blooms in early spring and goes dormant in summer. Modified continental/Mediterranean;
N Europe-Asia.
Zone 5.Enter quantity:
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1/$2
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| Corydalis solida violet seedlings ~ As above, but with seedlings whose flowers will be in the violet end of the spectrum. Modified continental/Mediterranean;
N Europe-Asia.
Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$2
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 Corydalis solida
'Blushing Girl'
~ This year, as always, we offer some of the rarest and
best cultivars of C. solida. This beauty is
distinguished by its dense clusters of rich pastel-pink, cream-tinged
flowers. Its habit is neat and compact. Modified
continental/Mediterranean. Zone 5.
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1/$6.50 |
| Corydalis solida
'George Baker'
~ For all the many beautiful takes on C. solida that have surfaced lately, this brick-red, "superb" selection (Lidén & Zetterlund) remains one of the best. We have the real thing, rather than one of the inferior pretenders circulating under this name. Modified
continental/Mediterranean. Zone 5.
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1/$10 |
| Corydalis solida
'Prasil Strain' ~ Despite its name, this is a vegetatively
propagated, brick-red clone of Prasil Strain extraction. The color is
deepest in cool springs. A more vigorous rival of
'George P. Baker', self-sowing and dividing to form rubicund colonies.
Woodsy conditions. Modified continental; N Europe-Asia.
Zone 5.
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1/$10 |
 Corydalis solida
'Purple Beauty'
~ Also ranking near the top of the C. solida selections is this – ummmm – purple beauty, whose flowers are among the largest and richest in coloration of its tribe. Modified continental/Mediterranean. Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$5 |
| Corydalis solida
'Rainbow Strain' ~ Another mix of corydalis on the warm side of the spectrum. These will range from purplish red to lilac-pink to white. Modified continental; N Europe-Asia.
Zone 5.
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1/$3 |
 Corydalis solida
'Snowstorm'
~ A blizzard of white flowers envelops compact, glossy-leaved plants in April – a month not immune to snowstorms in these parts. Corydalis guru Janis Ruksans numbers this among his favorites. Modified
continental/Mediterranean. Zone 5.
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1/$10 |
| Corydalis solida Sunset Strain ~ Most of the best red-flowered corydalis originate from Romania, whence derives the moniker "transylvanica", which is often applied to them. These are seedlings of some of the best of the transylvanica line. All will be red (with the best color occuring in cooler districts), and some will rival the priciest clones. Modified continental; Romania. Zone 5. Enter quantity:
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1/$9
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 Corydalis solida
'White Knight'
~ Large, abundant, pure-white flowers ride in at the end of the C. solida season. Modified
continental/Mediterranean.
Zone 5.
Enter quantity:
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1/$10 |
| Corydalis solida ssp.
incisa 'Vermion Snow'
~ While on a trek to Greece's Mt. Vermion, bulb guru Brian Mathew discovered and named this beautiful white selection of "the most elegant" (Lidén & Zetterlund) of the solida tribe. As with all members of this subspecies the finely divided leaves provide a splendid foil to the flowers. Mediterranean. Zone 5.
Enter quantity:
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1/$12 |
 Corydalis vittae
~ One look at the c.v. of this rarely offered beauty and you'll know
it's a corydalis of the first water. Inflorescence: dense racemes of up
to 15 large white flowers atop 4- to 6-inch stems in mid-spring.
Cultivation: easy in partial shade and humus-rich, moist, well-drained
soil. Self-sowing: often occurs if more than one plant is
present. Modified continental; Caucasus. Zone
5.
Enter quantity:
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1/$8 |
| Corydalis wendelboi
~ An exemplary rock garden plant, bearing rue-like blue-green leaves
and dense terminal clusters of purple flowers on 4-inch stems. Sharp
drainage and full sun are a must. Mediterranean/steppe; SW
Turkey. Zone 5.
Enter quantity:
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1/$9 |