Corydalis flexuosa

RHS Plant Profile
blue corydalis

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Corydalis flexuosa?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
blue corydalis RHS 1999
blue corydalis RHS 1999
blue corydalis RHS 1999
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A herbaceous perennial to 30cm in height, dying down in summer, with divided glaucous leaves, sometimes tinged purple, and clusters of two-lipped blue flowers with white throats in spring and early summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Corydalis can be annuals, biennials or tuberous or rhizomatous perennials, with ternately or pinnately lobed leaves and racemes of spurred, tubular flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame when ripe or by division in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free