Genus Corydalis

Corydalis Corydalis 'Blackberry Wine' Photo/Illustration: C. Colston Burrell
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Corydalis are lovely plants with ferny foliage and distinct flowers that are well suited to a wide range of garden habitats. The 4-petaled flowers cover a wide spectrum of colors, including blue and coral. They are unusual and tubular, and are often held perpendicular to the foliage, giving the impression of a swimming school of colorful tadpoles. The outer pair of petals has a spur with reflexed tips, and the inside pair discreetly covers the stamens. 
Care: Depends upon the species. Grow sun-loving species in a rock garden or in an alpine house, and shade-loving species in a woodland border or naturalized in the understory.
Propagation: Sow seed when fresh; germination may be erratic. Divide spring-flowering species in fall, and summer-flowering species in spring.
Problems: Downy mildew, rust, aphids, slugs, snails; spider mites indoors.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Corydalis

Corydalis ‘Blackberry Wine’ Corydalis ‘Blackberry Wine’
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Stunning, fragrant pinkish-purple flowers bloom in spring and then sporadically through fall. The ferny foliage can reach as high as 3 feet and looks great around hostas and other shade garden plants. 

Corydalis aurea Corydalis aurea
(Scrambled eggs)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

In spring, this biennial produces small yellow flowers, which are carried tightly over finely divided, sea green leaves. It self-sows freely.

Corydalis cheilanthifolia
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This plant's tapering, finely dissected leaves make it look like a fern relative. The bronzy tints of the emerging foliage add to this plant's beauty. It bears buttery yellow blossoms from spring to summer.

Corydalis curviflora var. rosthornii 'Heronswood Form' Corydalis curviflora var. rosthornii 'Heronswood Form'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This variety has fragrant, deep blue, cornucopia-shaped flowers carried tightly on red stems above 6-inch tall, blue-green foliage. It is considered one of the best blue forms for color and performance.

Corydalis elata
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This fragrant, blue-flowered species is more vigorous and heat tolerant than the blue cultivars. It blooms from late spring to early summer, and its foliage persists throughout the season with adequate moisture.

Corydalis flexuosa
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

From late spring to summer, this species produces clusters of brilliant blue flowers over ferny foliage. It is the parent of many of the rapidly expanding selection of choice blue cultivars.

Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda' Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The first of the coveted blue corydalises to be introduced, it produces fragrant clusters of long-spurred, azure flowers on a compact plant. 

Corydalis flexuosa 'China Blue' Corydalis flexuosa 'China Blue'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is one of the coveted blue corydalises. It produces whorled clusters of sky-blue flowers on 18-inch tall plants. 

Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This choice corydalis produces fragrant clusters of periwinkle-blue flowers and ferny foliage infused with purple hues. It is similar to 'Blue Panda,' yet is slower to spread and blooms more reliably during the summer.

Corydalis linstowiana Corydalis linstowiana
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species produces copious purplish-blue flowers in spring and fall. It has light green ferny leaves with a mid-rib of silver.

Corydalis lutea Corydalis lutea
(Yellow corydalis)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species has bluntly spurred golden yellow flowers from late spring to early fall. Its pale green, glaucous leaves form compact, ferny mounds.

Corydalis ochroleuca
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

From late spring and throughout the summer, creamy flowers cover a delicate mound of filigreed gray-green foliage.

Corydalis scouleri Corydalis scouleri
(Scouler's fumeroot)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species has tiers of lacy foliage that form broad clumps, 3 feet high by 3 feet wide. Its hot pink flowers bloom from May to July.

Corydalis solida
(Fumewort)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This species produces mauve-pink, purple, or white flower spikes in spring over deeply divided gray-green leaves that are barely 10 inches tall.