Cardamine macrophylla

RHS Plant Profile
large-leaved cuckoo flower
Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming, spreading perennial to around 90cm tall with leaves up to 25cm long divided into toothed, pointed leaflets. In early summer, erect stems bear dense, terminal clusters of pale pink to purple flowers, each up to 1cm long

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Russia to Japan and Himalaya

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full or part shade, in any moist soil that is not waterlogged

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids.

Diseases

Generally disease-free