Corydalis HILLIER™ 'PORCELAIN BLUE'

Perhaps no other colour attracts so much attention like blue. Reason being that blue pigment used to be rare and expensive, and in some cultures the wealth of a family would be assessed by the amount of blue ornaments and objects in the house. Its natural sources were indigo (plant) and various minerals, especially lapis azuli. Cobalt salt was another one and the method to achieve it was known already to ancient Romans and Egyptians, yet its real fame came from old China when during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th century) cobalt blue was frequently used on several types of ware, especially their true transparent porcelain which still today is a sought-after collectible. When it comes to plants, we all know that true blue flowers are in minority so we are thankful for each of them which shows some blue tint. Such as corydalis whose flowers come in several shades ranging from sky blue, brilliant blue, to cobalt blue.

HILLIER™ Porcelain Blue is a hybrid corydalis producing unique, narrowly tubular flowers in clear sky blue shade with a bit of cobalt blue hue. They are borne in erect or partly arching racemes atop about 30 cm tall slender stems. Flowering begins in May and continues for about two months. Then the plant rests for a while and in summer re-blooms with a few flowers until early autumn. Ternate leaves are deeply dissected, matte, dark green with a notable blue tint. The variety was bred by Hillier Nursery in the UK and is renowned for no summer dormancy.

Corydalis is a perennial from the forests of China. It likes partly shaded or shaded but not too dark locations. It will cope with partial or filtered sun if the ground is kept evenly moist and the plant is protected during the hottest hours of the day. It DEMANDS fresh, preferably moist BUT very well-drained soil as the roots might rot in wet ground. Hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update: 21-05-2019; 04-07-2021