This time it's a flower.
This is Corydalis solida Beth Evans. I bought this plant about eight years ago from Jacques Amand.
I hadn't realised until today just how early in spring it flowers. It's a beautiful, unassuming little plant, growing to about 4 to 6 inches high. Once it has flowered, it disappears underground until the next year. It is a tuberous plant requiring good drainage, but it doesn't like to be baked in summer, and much prefers dappled shade. As do I.
Corydalis is from the Greek word korydalis meaning crested lark. You see, that's where the lark came from. This particular variety was named after the wife of Alf Evans, who was assistant curator at Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden, and it is believed that it was a seedling that originated from there. Unfortunately, if it sets seed, the plants are not true to type.
I started tidying the garden up a bit today, because we've been promised some spring-like weather next week. Yippee! I even uncovered some crocus hiding among the dead stems, so the squirrels didn't get all of them then.
What a pretty pink flower - it looks too fragile to survive cold weather - I prefer that one to the pale blue.
ReplyDeleteI grew the pale blue one a few years ago, but it didn't survive its first winter. Think it was a drainage problem, because I planted it in the border. This one is in an alpine trough.
DeleteMiło popatrzeć, że komuś już kwitną piękne kwiatki w ogródku. Pozdrawiam.***Look nice that someone has beautiful flowers bloom in the garden. Yours.
ReplyDeleteIt was a real surprise to find it in flower so early.
DeleteCrystal that is indeed an early bird. I doubt she would rise quite so early further north. One to look out for.
ReplyDeleteOh I don't know, it did originate from Edinburgh which is just down the road from you. Okay it's a very long road.
DeleteYes Crystal, that is a very pretty early bird indeed! Mmm... the crocus and the squirrels - most of mine are relatively safe (I think) planted in my lawn. However last years' new border plantings don't seem to be adding up - odd grey squirrel visits have been seen... Mmm!
ReplyDeleteThose squirrels really are a nuisance. They not only dig up my bulbs, but they plant nut trees everywhere as well.
DeleteI am always excited to find treasures that the squirrels have not gotten to...gifts.
ReplyDeleteIt is very pretty, a lovely shade of pink.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has a passion for Tulips unfortunately the Squirrels do too, she has a constant battle trying to outwit them. Thankfully I don't have that problem, Squirrels only visit my bird feeders very occasionally.