Plant Overview
A charming little woodlander from Central and Southern Europe. It forms a neat mound of evergreen trifoliate leaves which are almost black in the winter and dark green in the summer. In spring and early summer it puts up stalks topped with white, cross-shaped flowers.
Not a typical thuggish cardamine - it is very well behaved.
Wonderful when planted under trees or shrubs where it will come into flower before the new trees come into leaf. Prefers dappled shade, but will tolerate full shade or full sun provided the soil doesn't get too dry when the plant is in leaf.
Height and spread: 20cm x 30cm
Common name(s): Three-leaved cuckoo flower.
Photo 1 courtesy of The Hardy Plant Society.