CORYDALIS. Apart from the blue flowered C. flexuosa, finally in production here, these allies of the bleeding hearts (Dicentra) are barely known in California. They are clumping perennials with usually fleshy roots and stalked, dissected, fernlike leaves. They bear spurred, tubular flowers, spreading vertically at the tips, in elongated clusters. Often they are quite colorful, adding cheery contrast in otherwise drab shady nooks. Light to medium shade, well drained (preferably acid) soils, moderate to regular watering. The following are hardy to 0oF or less.
flexuosa. A few years ago, as importations from China by various enthusiasts grew from a trickle to a flood, this was one of the plants which created a minor sensation in the Northwest. There are now many selections–confusingly many–and all are beautiful. This is one of the more permanent of the corydalis, making many new shoots each year from the base. It has beautiful dissected leaves, chalky blue-green in color and arching from 8" to well over a foot high. Flowering is essentially nonseasonal, at least near the coast, though perhaps heaviest in mid-spring. Slender flower stalks rise just above the leaves, showing off clusters of nodding, pale to bright, true-blue flowers. A cultivar bearing simply the designation ‘Award of Merit Form’ was gratefully received from Bob Lilly; it is one of the best. Better known but similar is ‘Blue Panda’.
lutea. A profuse perennial, making many slender shoots 6-18" high from a compact base. The leaves are soft and delicate in appearance, deep green above and blue green beneath. From mid spring to fall, it is almost constantly in bloom, bearing dense clusters of small, bright yellow flowers.
sempervirens. Rock harlequin. A biennial, but free enough with viable seed to become a minor nuisance (however, it is easily rogued out). The plants are erect and reach 2’ or more in height. The leaves are bright blue- to grey green in color. The flowers are small and nicely bicolored, pink with yellow tips.