Cardamine pratensis
cuckoo flower
A native perennial to 45cm tall, forming a basal rosette of grey-green to glossy dark green pinnate leaves to 15cm long with rounded leaflets, and erect leafy stems bearing short open racemes of 4-petalled, pale pink or white flowers 1.5cm across in late spring
Other common names
bread and milkcuckoo buds
see morecuckoo spit
lady's smock
meadow bittercress
meadow cress
spinks
spring cress
cuckoo bread
lady's flower
mayflower
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Cardamine are herbaceous perennials with simple, palmately or pinnately divided leaves and short racemes of 4-petalled white, yellow, pink or purplish flowers in spring or summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist soil in full or part shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed or division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and flea beetles
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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