There are many varieties and shades of corydalis. Depicted here, the intense and lovely “wildside blue.”
WHY YOU SHOULD PLANT IT
Corydalis is one of gardening's perfect little secrets. There are many varieties and lots of different species, from rampant ones (C. lutea) to amazing treasures such as 'Wildside Blue.' The intensity of its cobalt shade is rare in any garden and that a plant would spread itself so gracefully around is one of those treats that make late spring and early summer a time to long for. It was found in the great plantsman Keith Wiley's garden in England, so that makes it extra special.
WHERE TO PLANT IT
C. 'Wildside Blue' is one of the great shade plants and, unlike others in its family, won't run all over the place. It is fragrant, grows to 45 by 30 centimetres and needs regular watering as it is not at all drought-tolerant. Plant it where you can see it properly while it blooms for most of the spring. It's easier to grow than other blue corydalis (I have failed, for instance, with 'Blue Panda' and most of the others). 'Wildside Blue' is a Zone 6 plant and would be ideal in a container.
WHAT IT OFFERS
A wonderful 30-centimetre-wide clump of cobalt blue all through spring into early summer. If it looks ratty, you only need to cut it back and it will start to grow and bloom again. It doesn't go dormant, so you have lacey leaves to look at even after the blossoms have finished. Tuck it in with spring ephemerals and it will seem as though the season goes on forever.
SOURCE AND COST
Find it for $18 at specialty nurseries such as Lost Horizons (www.losthorizons.ca) in Acton, Ont. – Marjorie Harris
For more plant and garden information, visit www.marjorieharris.com.