Corydalis solida Beth Evans

Corydalis solida 'Beth Evans' is an adorable bulbous perennial plant that blooms in spring, sometimes as early as March. Its compact clusters, standing above finely dissected foliage, are composed of numerous small flowers in a deep pink, touched with purple, a colour that stands out well in partial shade or even in woodland. Perfectly hardy and low-maintenance, it disappears from the surface of the ground in summer. It grows easily in shade or partial shade, in light soil that remains moist.

Corydalis solida is a small bulbous plant native to central and southern Europe, as well as boreal and western Asia. It grows in shady meadows, woods, and copse, as well as in mountain and subalpine meadows, in limestone soil. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family, just like poppies. The cultivar 'Beth Evans' is a hardy plant that develops its foliage in spring. Its light grey-green leaves are divided into 3 narrow, dissected, and ovate segments. They measure from 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long. Corydalis solida reaches about 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in height and 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) in width at maturity. Flowering takes place in spring, from March to May, in the form of compact and erect clusters composed of numerous purple-pink tubular flowers, 1 to 2cm (1in) long. They are terminated by 2 lips open on an almost white throat and equipped with a slender, downward-curved spur. The flowers, facing downwards, are gathered in tight spikes on an upright stem. The flowering is followed by the formation of elongated capsules called siliques. Corydalis solida is hermaphrodite and insect-pollinated. The seeds are dispersed by ants. The foliage disappears in summer.

Corydalis 'Beth Evans' is above all a shade or partial shade plant that will reveal its full potential on the edge of woodland. It can be planted with other perennials that are not afraid of competition from tree or bush roots. Accompany it with Solomon's Seal's cousin (Uvularia grandiflora), hardy fuchsias, purple creeping bugleweed, Japanese anemones, Balkan digitalis, tricyrtis, a carpet of periwinkles, and 'Ivory Heart' bleeding heart. This plant also performs very well in pots and creates a beautiful effect in hanging baskets from which it cascades. Plant this corydalis above walls or in shady rockeries.