RHS chwerw'r coed
Cardamine sylvatica
A fast-growing annual or biennial, with pinnate leaves and small white flowers on wavy stems. It is often found in damp shady spots where it can grow up to 50cm high, though it is usually shorter in garden environments
0.1-0.5 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grows best in moist, shady conditions, but will tolerate a range of positions and soil types. Edible, with a peppery taste, similar to cress and used in the same way. Self-seeds readily, but unwanted plants are easily removed by hand weeding or hoeing. See the advice page on bittercress for more details
Propagates by seed produced prolifically through the growing season and dispersed explosively from seed pods. Seeds are sticky when wet and can be spread on shoes and clothing
No pruning required
Generally pest-free
May be susceptible to club root