Corydalis Species, Blue Corydalis, Fumewort

Corydaliselata

Family
Papaveraceae (pa-pav-er-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Corydalis (kor-ID-ah-liss)
Species
elata (el-AH-tuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Anchorage, Alaska

Santa Cruz, California

Camden, Maine

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Lexington, Massachusetts

Columbus, Ohio

Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Moretown, Vermont

Kalama, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | November 2014 | positive

Much easier and longer lived than C. flexuosa in eastern North America.

Unlike C. flexuosa, which it resembles, it does no...Read More

G
| June 2008 | positive

Utterly delightful, but rather taller than I was expecting after growing other corydalis of more diminutive stature. Mine is about 2 1/2...Read More

K
Anchorage, AK (Zone 3b) | May 2007 | positive

I added this plant to my garden a couple of years ago (in 2004), and it's made it through the winter successfully every year since. A tr...Read More

J
Lebanon, PA (Zone 6a) | June 2006 | positive

I tried (unsuccessfully) a few times to grow various Corydalis flexuosa varieties. I had almost given up on ever having the blue flowers...Read More

J
Santa Cruz, CA | August 2004 | positive

Very delicate. Leaves are lacy and grow in triplets, similar to Columbine.

J
J
Joy
Kalama, WA (Zone 8b) | October 2001 | neutral

Fragrant cobalt blue. Blooms May-June with shade.
Rich moist soil. Does not grow dormant and is more upright than other types.

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Featured
Rabid Wolf Spider
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