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Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo flower)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cardamine pratensis
Other names
Cuckoo flower, Spinks, Spring cress, Mayflower, Meadow bittercress, Meadow cress, Cuckoo buds, Cuckoo spit, Lady's flower, Lady's smock, Bread and milk, Cuckoo bread
Genus
Cardamine Cardamine
Species
C. pratensis - C. pratensis has rounded leaflets, with erect leafy stems bearing short open racemes of pale pink or white flowers.
Cardamine pratensis is: Deciduous
Habit
Upright
Flower
Pale-pink, White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Flea beetles Aphids , Flea beetles
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo flower) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Meadow, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Does well in most soils in sheltered situations. Do not plant in full sun. Appropriate for planting in a flower border, rock garden or woodland.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Cardamine pratensis
Other names
Cuckoo flower, Spinks, Spring cress, Mayflower, Meadow bittercress, Meadow cress, Cuckoo buds, Cuckoo spit, Lady's flower, Lady's smock, Bread and milk, Cuckoo bread
Genus
Cardamine Cardamine
Species
C. pratensis - C. pratensis has rounded leaflets, with erect leafy stems bearing short open racemes of pale pink or white flowers.
Native to
Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
Pale-pink, White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo flower) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Meadow, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Does well in most soils in sheltered situations. Do not plant in full sun. Appropriate for planting in a flower border, rock garden or woodland.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo flower)
Common pest name
Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly
Scientific pest name
Bemisia tabaci non-European populations
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
General biosecurity comments
Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo flower)
Common pest name
Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly
Scientific pest name
Bemisia tabaci European populations
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo flower)
Common pest name
Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance
Scientific pest name
Hoplolaimus spp.
Type
Nematode
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Cardamine pratensis
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