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Herbaceous Perennial

Cardamine kitaibelii
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Kitaibel's bittercress

A spreading, herbaceous perennial to about 30cm with succulent rhizomes and divided leaves in whorls that emerge bronze in late winter or early spring.. Small clusters of white to pale yellow, four-petalled flowers appear in early to mid-spring

Other common names
many-leaved toothwort
Synonyms
Cardamine polyphylla
Dentaria polyphylla
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow White Green
Summer Green
Autumn
Winter Bronze
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
SE Europe (mts)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil in full or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and flea beetles

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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