Cardamine pratensis aka Lady's Smock
Taxonomy
Cardamine pratensis, also known as cuckoo flower, lady's smock, mayflower, or milkmaids, is a beautiful flowering plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae. This herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and Western Asia and is commonly found in meadows. It grows up to 40-60 cm tall and features a rosette of basal leaves that are divided into several pairs of rounded segments. The erect stems bear multiple pale pink, double flowers during the spring and early summer. The pinnate leaves are 5-12 cm long and consist of 3-15 leaflets, each measuring about 1 cm. The flowers are arranged on a spike that can reach 10-30 cm in length, and each flower has four very pale violet-pink petals, although white petals are occasionally observed. The fruit is characterized by its short or longish style. Overall, Cardamine pratensis adds a touch of beauty and charm to its natural habitat.
Common names
Lady's Smock, Cuckoo Flower, Meadow CressHow to care for Lady's Smock
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Lady's Smock, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Water
Lady's Smock should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Lady's Smock is very sensitive to dry soil. To ensure your Cuckoo Flower is thriving and blooming, choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil should still allow for adequate drainage and contain lots of organic matter. Coco coir or sphagnum moss are great soil additives that will help to retain moisture and provide your Meadow Cress with the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Make sure to mix these soil additives into the potting soil before planting and water the soil thoroughly. By providing your Lady's Smock with a well-draining, moisture-retaining soil, you can help to maximize its growth and keep it blooming.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Lady's Smock prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.
Fertilizer
The Lady's Smock grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Lady's Smock as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Lady's Smock’s native range is Most of Europe, including Britain, N. Asia and N. America.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Cardamine Genus
Cardamine amara Large Bittercress
Cardamine bulbosa Bulbous Bittercress
Cardamine debilis
Cardamine fauriei
Cardamine bulbifera Bulbiferous Coralwort
Cardamine cordifolia Heart Leaf Bittercress
Cardamine loxostemonoides
Cardamine glacialis
Cardamine glanduligera
