"Have a little fun in the Garden"

Corydalis spp.

Fumariaceae

By rss

For many years I have enjoyed the bright yellow flowers and fern-like foliage of Corydalis Wilsonii growing in my front yard. At my location in San Francisco, it performs as a delightful pioneer along the margins of the planting beds, invading open disturbed spaces exposed by pruning or weeding. Each spring a carpet of seedlings appears in these areas but only a few survive to flower. Those that receive water from roof drip (fog) or chance to establish near the drip line grow larger and bloom longer, usually from March to September for second year plants and from late May to September for current year seedlings.

As the plants slow down in the fall, an interesting event occurs. Several species of moths lay their eggs in exposed areas on the walls of our house (usually on the North facing wall), the lucky few that manage to find the planting beds, feast on the Corydalis, stripping them to bare stems by October. With a minor bit of cleanup, the plants are ready for winter. Other than this annual event, there are no other significant "pest" problems on our Corydalis. Every Spring there are new green leaves and soon bright bunches of sunny blooms.

There are many other species and selections of Corydalis available. Recently I added C. flexuosa 'Pere David' to our bed, a blue flowered selection with a purplish cast to the foliage. I'm told that it will perform much the same as C. Wilsonii. Corydalis does well in San Francisco with half day sun, morning or afternoon doesn't seem to matter, they seem to like cool feet, not venturing out into the exposed pathways.

For the adventurous among you, those who like a little serendipity in your gardens, or a little six-legged help with cleanup in the fall, I have provided a partial table of Corydalis species for your amusement and gardening pleasure.

References cited:

Hortus Third, (c) 1976 Cornell University ISBN 0-02-505470-8

McDonnell Nursery, Orinda, CA 925-254-3713

Western Garden Book, (c) 2001 Sunset Publishing Corp. ISBN 0-376-03875-6