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Corydalis cava

holewort

A tuberous perennial to 20cm in height, with ternately divided leaves and, in early spring, terminal racemes of white or purple flowers 2.5cm in length

Other common names

hollow leek
hollow root
see morehollow wort

Synonyms

Corydalis bulbosa misapplied
Fumaria cava

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Corydalis can be annuals, biennials or tuberous or rhizomatous perennials, with ternately or pinnately lobed leaves and racemes of spurred, tubular flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: C Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame when ripe or by division in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Cottage and informal garden
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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