Corydalis solida Firebird

Corydalis solida 'Firebird' is a rare red-flowered variety. It is an extraordinary plant, with bright pink-red flowers in long tubes and bluish-green fern-like foliage. It is easy to grow in moist soil, and can be used as ground cover, in hanging baskets, or to cover shaded walls.

Corydalis solida is a small bulbous plant native to central and southern Europe and boreal and western Asia. It grows in shaded meadows, woods, and copse, as well as in mountain and subalpine meadows, in limestone soil. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family, just like poppies. The cultivar 'Firebird' is a recent horticultural creation. This hardy plant develops its foliage in spring. Its light grey-green leaves are divided into 3 narrow, cut and ovate segments. They measure from 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long. Corydalis solida 'Firebird' reaches a height of about 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) at maturity with a width of 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in). Flowering takes place in spring, from March to May, in the form of compact and erect clusters composed of numerous pink-red tube-shaped flowers, 1 to 2cm (1in) long. They are terminated by 2 lips open on an almost white throat and equipped with a slender, downward-curved spur. The flowers are gathered in dense spikes at the top of an upright stem. The flowering is followed by the formation of elongated capsules called siliques. Corydalis solida is hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects. The seeds are dispersed by ants. The foliage disappears in summer.

Corydalis 'Firebird' is primarily a shade or semi-shade plant that will reveal its full potential on the edge of woodlands. It can be planted with other perennials that are not afraid of competition from tree or shrub roots. Accompany it with the cousin of Solomon's Seal (Uvularia grandiflora), hardy fuchsias, creeping bugleweed, Japanese anemones, Balkan digitalis, Tricyrtis, a carpet of periwinkles, and 'Ivory Heart' bleeding heart. This plant also performs very well in pots and has a beautiful effect in hanging baskets from which it cascades. Plant this corydalis above walls or in shaded rockeries.