Cardamine bulbifera

RHS Plant Profile
coral root bittercress

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coral root bittercress RHS

Other common names

bulb-bearing toothwort, common toothwort, coral root, coral wort, tooth violet, toothcress, coralwort

Synonyms

Dentaria bulbifera

Herbaceous Perennial
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A spreading perennial to about 60cm with succulent rhizomes and bright green leaves with narrow, serrated leaflets. Deep purple bulbils are produced at the base of the upper stem leaves. Small clusters of pale purple, four-petalled flowers appear in spring

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Cardamine are herbaceous perennials with simple, palmately or pinnately divided leaves and short racemes of 4-petalled white, yellow, pink or purplish flowers in spring or summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil in full or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, bulbils or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and flea beetles

Diseases

Generally disease-free