Corydalis solida White Swallow

Corydalis solida 'White Swallow' is a variety of solid corydalis with full bulbs that is distinguished by its diaphanous white flowering. A small, hardy, and charming perennial bulbous plant, it offers an early spring flowering, made up of small tubular flowers that are curiously spurred. The blooms are arranged in somewhat disorderly clusters amidst finely cut foliage. It is known as "bird in a bush" because the flowering plant resembles small birds perched on a nest of greenery. Planted in partial shade in good, fertile, moist, and well-drained soil, the bulbs will grow without care and quickly produce small daughter bulbs that will expand the clump. An almost fail-proof plant!

Corydalis solida is a small bulbous plant native to central and southern Europe and boreal and western Asia. It grows in shady meadows, woods, and copse, as well as in mountain and subalpine meadows, on limestone soil. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family.

The cultivar 'White Swallow' is an herbaceous perennial plant with tuberous roots. It is deciduous in winter. It boasts good hardiness. It develops its foliage in spring. Its light grey-green leaves are divided into 3 narrow, dissected, and ovate segments, measuring 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long. The plant forms a clump that measures about 20cm (8in) in height with a width of 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) at maturity. Flowering occurs from March to May, in the form of compact, upright clusters composed of numerous tube-shaped white 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 are gathered in dense spikes on an upright stem. The foliage often disappears in summer.

Corydalis 'White Swallow' is primarily a shade-loving plant that will express its full potential on the edge of woodlands. It can be planted with other perennials that can withstand competition from tree or bush roots, such as the cousin of Solomon's Seal (Uvularia grandiflora), hardy fuchsias, purple creeping bugle, Japanese anemones, Balkan Digitalis, toad lilies (Tricyrtis), or even bleeding hearts. Corydalis solida also performs well in pots and creates a beautiful effect in hanging baskets from which it cascades. Plant it above walls, or in shady rockeries.