Corydalis solida 'Beth Evans', 12 bulbs

We love the way Corydalis solida 'Beth Evans' perches along stone steps at our store and multiplies on its own each year. Her clusters of tubular pink blooms flushed with white appear in early spring and the nectar-rich flowers are valuable for supporting early-spring pollinators. The finely divided, gray-green leaves go dormant in summer heat, so remember where you've planted the tubers (or just replant them if you dig them up inadvertently). Especially lovely when paired with miniature Daffodils and Species Tulips. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Corydalis is a large and diverse genus in the Papaveraceae family comprised of over 500 species and being widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Plants bears small, spurred blooms that will be familiar to anyone who loves Bleeding Heart. Flowering ranges from late spring to fall on short spikes that decorate a cool mound of handsomely cut foliage. Although the genus is adaptable to a wide variety of conditions, most species grow best in partial shade and evenly moist soil and may go dormant in the heat of summer. They are useful for edging borders or walkways.

For information on the growing and care of Corydalis, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: kor-rid' uh-lis  

The five hundred-plus Corydalis species include annuals, biennials, and tuberous or rhizomatous perennials, mostly from northern temperate regions. Commonly grown perennial species naturally grow in cliffs and on rocky slopes in cool, woodland habitats, making these unfussy plants ideal for woodland rock gardens, stone path edges, and shaded stone walls in areas with cool summers.

Corydalis cheilanthifolia is a freely self-sowing evergreen species with yellow blooms from spring into summer; suited for growing in sun to part shade.

Corydalis flexuosa produces blue flowers in late spring/early summer and goes dormant in summer; prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil.

Corydalis lutea is a rhizomatous, evergreen species with yellow flowers. It self-sows freely in sun to part shade and prefers rocky situations, even self-sowing in stone walls.

Corydalis solida is a tuberous species that goes dormant in summer. Variable flower color in a range of pinks, purples, reds, and white have resulted in numerous named cultivars.

When planting, keep the soil level of potted plants even with the surrounding soil. Plant tuberous varieties at the depth indicated on the plant tag.

Light: All these species grow particularly well in part shade, especially the dappled shade created by deciduous shrubs and trees. Corydalis cheilanthifolia, C. lutea, and C. solida tolerate full sun when given proper woodsy soil and sufficient moisture.

Soil: Corydalis prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that retains moisture, yet has very good drainage. Corydalis solida prefers especially sharp drainage and does well in rock gardens and gravelly areas. Plants are not particular about pH, except at the extremes.

Watering: Plants do not like to dry out, nor will they survive in saturated, heavy soils, or standing water. Once established, water during especially hot, dry weather. Plants in full sun will need more attention to watering than those in shade. Varieties that go dormant in summer should be amply watered in spring but not drenched when dormant.

Fertilizer: These plants are not heavy feeders, so an occasional few handfuls of good quality compost or decomposed leaf mulch around each plant is all they really need. A light application of slow-release granular fertilizer may be applied in early spring if desired, but it is not usually necessary. An organic mulch that decomposes over time will provide sufficient nutrients.

Pests/Diseases: Corydalis is susceptible to root rot in heavy soil. Plants may be bothered by common garden pests (aphids, slugs) if stressed, but are generally easy plants.

Dividing/Transplanting: Very small plants may be dug and transplanted in spring, but mature plants resent being transplanted. Increase plants by allowing them to self-sow, or collect ripe seeds and scatter them where you'd like more plants.

Continuing Care: Cut back dormant plants if you wish, although surrounding perennials often fill in the space and cover declining Corydalis foliage without any effort on the gardener’s part. Sunburned or dried-out plants can be cut back to basal foliage, which often will remain green well into winter. Allow plants to ripen seeds if you wish them to self-sow, or deadhead after blooms have finished if you prefer to limit seedlings.

Companions: Heucheras, Carex pensylvanica, and diminutive species Tulips such as Tulipa tarda and Tulips sylvestris make fine companions.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].