Cardamine quinquefolia
five-leaved cuckoo flower
A spreading herbaceous perennial up to 30cm high with five-lobed green leaves and clusters of many pink-lilac flowers from early spring; the leaves die down in early summer, but it provides good ground cover till then
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- 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
- E Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in partial shade below deciduous trees or shrubs in a border or woodland garden in humus-rich soil; will grow in moist soil and tolerate dry soil
Propagation
Propagate by seed in autumn or spring, or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to flea beetles and aphids but generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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