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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
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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