Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'

Also Known As

Purple Leaf Purple Leaf Corydalis

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 6"-10"
W: 24"

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' plant details

Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with blue, bronze and green foliage. In spring blue flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: papaveraceae
Foliage: deciduous blue, bronze and green
Mature size: 24 IN wide, 6 IN - 10 IN - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring
Uses: container plant, edging plant, fragrant, lacy leaves, rock garden, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Corydalis flexuosa 'Purple Leaf'

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture

Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

What could be better than the blues of the Chinese Corydalis?-how about lacy bronze foliage?!; a more aggressive spreader than some, they make a charming groundcover scrambling over a wall or around stepping stones. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Purple Leaf Corydalis has purple-tinted fern-like leaves that contrast well with dark green plants such as green Hostas or Big Leaf Hydrangeas. Starting in early spring clumps of blue or purple flowers begin to appear above the leaves and last well into the summer. Afternoon shade encourages plants to bloom much longer, in fact plants in shade bloom heavily for two months longer than plants in the sun at our nursery. High summer heat can make the plants go dormant in the summer until the weather cools off and the plants suddenly flush out with dense new foliage.

Plants grow in clumps which slowly expand over time and can be divided in early to mid-fall. Seeds from self-pollinated plants come back true to the variety's characteristics about 99% of the time so you can also grow plants by collecting your own seed. When growing these plants from seed don't give up if none sprout as germination can take a year or more if growing conditions aren't quite right.

We have found that adding a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote in early spring encourages plans to flower longer into the season as well.

By: Red Panda Nursery

The soft bronze-green feather-like leaves are accented by red stems and the large, blue to purple-blue flowers carried in clusters above the foliage. This long bloomer makes a great highlight in shady spots. Combines well with blue or gold hostas and hellebores. Use in the woodland garden under shrubs or in a part shade container.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

With an intriguing royal purple hue infusing each leaf, this low clumping species is the earliest blooming Corydalis we offer, bearing smoky periwinkle-blue flowers throughout the winter in our garden. The lovely leaf color holds best in partial shade.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

The lowest growing (to 8") of the flexuosas we carry, 'Purple Leaf' has a bronzy cast to the delicate foliage and a smoky-violet appearance to the fragrant blooms. May assert itself as a rapid spreader, but who could tire of this beauty?

By: Native Sons

Up before the robins in spring, this bronzy-leafed fumitory is vigorous, rhizomatous, early blooming and long lived. Plants are more compact than the type and are charming in the rock garden, or scrambling around stepping-stones. A great lacy contrast to Heuchera 'Lime Rickey'. Fragrant, violet-blue flowers abound in early spring. May go summer dormant.