Corydalis elata Blue Summit

The Corydalis elata Blue Summit is a vigorous selection of Corydalis that stands out for its remarkable spring flowering. Its large tubular flowers are of an extraordinary blue, almost electric, illuminated by small white spots. They gather in generous and pleasantly fragrant clusters, dominating a beautiful tuft of finely cut foliage of a fresh spring green. Unlike its cousin Corydalis flexuosa, this excellent variety does not go dormant in summer and maintains its beautiful appearance throughout the summer. Hardy and perennial, this very pretty plant thrives in cool and semi-shaded areas, such as in a light woodland or under the cover of bushes, in a humus-rich and light soil that remains moist throughout the year.

The 'Blue Summit' Corydalis belongs to the Fumariaceae family. It was recently selected by the famous English gardener Elizabeth Strangman from Washfield Nursery, who collected it on Mount Emei (Omei) in the Sichuan province of China. It is a herbaceous plant, perennial by its slightly stoloniferous roots, whose vegetation forms in autumn or spring and more or less disappears in winter, depending on the climatic conditions.

The moderately fast growth of this corydalis will allow it to occupy about 40-45 cm (16-18in) in all directions in two years. This plant forms a compact and dense tuft and can moderately spread as a ground cover thanks to its short stolons. The foliage, carried by reddish stems, takes on a very light and vibrant shade, a somewhat acidic green. Finely cut, it resembles that of fumitories or bleeding hearts. The flowering, made up of fragrant and well-supplied clusters, takes place in May-June. The pendant flowers, resembling long tubes with flared edges, are equipped with a long spur. Each flower, bright and light blue, azure blue according to some observers or cobalt blue according to others, has a few small white areas that give the whole an incredible luminosity and a unique colour.

The 'Blue Summit' Corydalis, perhaps the most spectacular of all, is not the most difficult to grow. However, like all its cousins, it requires specific growing conditions that may not be found in every garden. Its beauty, however, deserves some effort that will allow you to enjoy its undeniable beauty. It will thrive in our rather cool, well-watered regions, in a light woodland or under the cover of bushes, where it can withstand root competition. These are conditions also appreciated by bleeding hearts, Japanese lady ferns, Japanese grass, hostas, or even the rare Isodon longituba that will accompany it, preferably in humus-rich and non-chalky soil.