Cardamine pratensis
lady's smock or cuckoo flower
This variable perennial can be found colonising cool, shady spots where there is a reliable source of water. They have attractively divided foliage, which will often produce new plantlets at the base of the leaflets, and in late spring or early summer, showy clusters of lilac-pink, purple or white flowers top the upright stems.
Plant Cardamine pratensis in bold drifts in wet meadows, woodland or at the edges of a pond. They also work well in boggy, shady herbaceous borders.
Plant Cardamine pratensis in bold drifts in wet meadows, woodland or at the edges of a pond. They also work well in boggy, shady herbaceous borders.
How to care for Cardamine pratensis:
Plant in reliably moist or damp soil, ideally in full sun or partial shade. It It thrives in meadows, stream edges, or as a shallow pond marginal, where it can be planted directly into the soil at or just below the water surface (up to 5cm (2in) deep). Once established, it needs little attention.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a light second flush and prevent excessive self-seeding. Cut back foliage in late autumn or early winter to tidy up and prepare for regrowth in spring. Avoid letting the soil dry out, especially in summer.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a light second flush and prevent excessive self-seeding. Cut back foliage in late autumn or early winter to tidy up and prepare for regrowth in spring. Avoid letting the soil dry out, especially in summer.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.45m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Position:
Full sun / light shade / shade
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost / Reliably damp or boggy
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This pond plant dies right back in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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CAUTION toxic if eaten/skin & eye irritant
3 × 9cm pots
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1 litre aquatic pot
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3 × 1 litre aquatic pots
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