Cardamine hirsuta
hairy bittercress
A widespread hardy annual which readily self-seeds in gardens, often appearing when soil is disturbed or in nursery containers. It can produce several generations of plants in one growing season. Small white flowers appear in spring, summer, autumn and in mild winters. These are bourne on thin stems above a basal rosette of lobed pinnate leaves. The flowers are followed by explosive seed pods which distribute extensive quantities of seed. It can be grown as a salad vegetable
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Poorly–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | White | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
This plant has traditionally been regarded as a garden weed or wildflower, but it can be grown as an edible addition to salads. Eradicate unwanted plants by hand weeding or hoeing. See bittercress for further information and advice on how to control
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Bear in mind it can create large colonies if allowed to self-seed and has the potential to become a nuisance. To prevent this, remove the flowers before they set seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to flea beetles and aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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