Content
Yellow corydalis (Corydalis lutea) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Poppy family. The plant is still rarely used as an element of landscape design, but every year it becomes more and more popular. Yellow corydalis is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and long flowering period, which is not typical for other types of crops. In order for this perennial to fully develop in the garden, you need to choose the right place for it, plant it and follow simple rules of care.
The culture can grow in one place for ten or more years
Description of yellow corydalis
This perennial is low growing. The height of its upright, angular stems varies between 10-40 cm. The yellow type of corydalis produces a large number of shoots, which ultimately form a spherical bush. The rhizome of the plant is of a creeping type, consists of numerous fleshy, brittle shoots, yellowish in color.
The leaves of the corydalis are twice or thrice dissected. On top the plates are of a rich green hue, and on the back side they are grey, without pubescence. The flowers of the yellow perennial are apical, they are collected in a brush of 6-10 pieces. The bracts of this species of corydalis are oblong-lanceolate, entire, and their length is much shorter than the pedicels.The corollas are bright yellow, their size is 14-20 mm. Corydalis flowers have an elongated spur in which nectar accumulates. Not every insect can reach it, but only those with a long proboscis. When blooming, the buds of the yellow corydalis emit a honey aroma.
After pollination of flowers, oblong, pointed fruits appear on the plant, which contain round, small black seeds. Each of them has a fleshy thickening that attracts ants. This promotes the spread of the crop, as insects transport seeds over long distances.
Yellow Corydalis bract begins its growing season in early spring. And its flowering period begins in early June and lasts until the end of August. After this, the above-ground part of the plant dies off completely, and the perennial enters the dormant stage.
Yellow Corydalis is a productive honey plant
Composition and properties
This plant has medicinal properties. Its chemical composition includes a complex of alkaloids, phytoncides, and tannins. Useful components are contained in the rhizome, stems, leaves, and flower clusters of the crop. However, when using the herb for medicinal purposes, it must be taken into account that the alkaloids contained in it pose a danger to human health and can cause convulsions and even death. Therefore, it is necessary to use the plant in folk medicine in small doses and only after consultation with a doctor.
The yellow type of corydalis has the following effects:
- antiseptic;
- anti-inflammatory.
The plant is used to treat diseases of the liver, gall bladder, nervous system, and pancreas.The effectiveness of products based on this perennial has been proven for cystitis, kidney problems, gynecological inflammation, herpes, and flu.
Where does it grow
This culture is widespread in Central European countries. However, it easily adapts to any climatic conditions. Found on forest edges, hills, cliffs, rocks, slopes. Moreover, the yellow corydalis is able to survive even in places where other plants die.
Landing rules
It is recommended to plant this type of corydalis in a permanent place at the end of summer, when the plant begins to enter the dormant stage. For perennials, you need to choose lightly shaded areas. The ideal option for yellow corydalis is loam and sandy loam soil with a neutral acidity level. It is important that water does not stagnate on the site during thaws and seasonal rains.
It is recommended to plant the yellow corydalis to a depth of 5-10 cm, depending on the size of the seedlings. At the end of the procedure, the plant should be watered abundantly.
Planting a plant in heavy clay soil leads to its death
Care instructions
Yellow rhizomatous corydalis belongs to the category of crops that do not require special attention from the gardener. Therefore, caring for the plant does not cause difficulties not only for professionals, but also for novice gardeners.
The plant begins its growing season in early spring, when there is still enough moisture in the soil. Therefore, it needs to be watered only before flowering and in the future if there is no rain during this period. Humidification is carried out in doses, since the yellow corydalis reacts poorly to overflow.
It is recommended to fertilize the plant twice per season. The first time you need to apply fertilizers is at the beginning of the growing season, using urea at the rate of 30 g per 1 square meter. m. And the second feeding should be carried out in mid-summer, using nitroammophoska in the same quantity.
Due to its long flowering period, yellow corydalis requires periodic pruning. It is recommended to remove faded flower stalks, which will ensure the accelerated formation of new ones.
Also, caring for a perennial involves periodically loosening the soil at its base. This will provide air access to the rhizome.
Reproduction methods
The yellow species of corydalis reproduces by seeds and division of the rhizome. In the first case, it is necessary to collect the fruits of the plant at the stage when they are still green, and the seeds inside them are already turning black. After this, they need to be placed on the windowsill for a few more days to ripen.
Sowing yellow corydalis seeds should be done at home in containers with drainage holes filled with a mixture of turf, sand and peat. The recommended planting depth is 0.3 cm. Sprouts appear after 10-14 days. The favorable regime for keeping yellow corydalis seedlings is +15-18 °C and humidity is not higher than 50%.
It is recommended to plant young seedlings grown from seeds in open ground only after a year, when they are sufficiently strong. Such plants bloom at the age of three.
Only bumblebees can pollinate the flowers of the yellow perennial
For the purpose of propagation, you can divide the corydalis rhizome at the end of summer. To do this, you need to dig up the plant and divide its underground part into several segments, each of which should have 2-3 recovery buds. After this, the seedlings must be immediately planted in a permanent place and watered well.
Photos in landscape design
This perennial is becoming increasingly popular as an element of landscape design. Indeed, in terms of vitality, endurance and duration of flowering, few garden herbaceous crops can compare with it.
The yellow species of corydalis can form a “living carpet”
The plant also looks good as a tapeworm
Excellent perennial for alpine and rocky hills
Conclusion
Yellow corydalis is a plant that looks original even in the absence of flowers due to its beautiful carved foliage. Moreover, the perennial grows well and is able to successfully mask unsightly places on the site. The advantages of the yellow corydalis include its unpretentiousness. Therefore, for gardeners who cannot pay special attention to the flower garden, this plant is an ideal option.
