Fumewort 'Purple Bird'

A captivating early-flowering perennial, this woodland plant brings a rare splash of vibrant colour to the garden in late Winter and early Spring. From February to April, it produces dense, upright clusters of uniquely spurred flowers in a striking shade of deep amethyst-purple. These "bird-like" blooms appear to hover above a delicate, lace-like mound of soft, fern-colored foliage. Commonly known as Fumewort, this variety belongs to the Corydalis solida group, which grows from a small tuber. It is a "spring ephemeral," meaning it puts on a spectacular show early in the season and then goes dormant during the summer months, making it the perfect companion for planting under deciduous trees or shrubs. It is incredibly hardy and naturalizes beautifully over time, forming a lush, colorful carpet in those tricky, dappled-shade spots where few other things bloom so early.

Site: Woodland gardens, shady borders, naturalised areas
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained
Position: Best in partial shade, full sun only if soil stays moist
Season of interest: Early to mid-spring (flowering)
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 15–20 cm (6–8 in) Spread: 15-20 cm (8–12 in)

Image by Ryan Hodnett licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0