Corydalis solida aka Bird In A Bush

Corydalis solida also goes by the name fumewort. It belongs to Papaveraceae, the poppy family. This small perennial grows from a tuber beneath the soil. It is native to Europe, central Asia, and northwest Africa. It grows in temperate regions, but is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants grow in woods, hedges, and meadows. They also grow in orchards and vineyards. Some records place them on stony ground that lacks lime.

Plants form low clumps with fern-like leaves split into fine parts. The leaves range from medium green to grey-green. Garden plants reach about 0.8–1 foot [0.25–0.3 metres] tall. Their spread can reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres]. RHS gives a wider size range for the plant. It reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] in both height and spread. The leaves fall away as the plant goes dormant. They may lose their fresh look by midsummer. Hot, dry summers can bring on this period of rest.

Flowers grow in tight, upright groups at the stem tips. Each group can hold up to 20 tube-shaped blooms. The flowers can be pale pink, purple, or white. They can also be purplish red. Blooms measure about 0.8–1 inch [0.02–0.025 metres] long. Missouri Botanical Garden lists April to May as the bloom season. The flowers add spring colour above the soft mound of leaves. The species name refers to something solid or dense.

Grow fumewort in soil that drains well but holds some water. Missouri Botanical Garden favours rich soil in part or full shade. RHS lists full sun but also allows for part shade. Its soil guide includes chalk, loam, and sand. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils as well. The guides differ on how wet the soil should be. Their ranges run from dry-to-moist to medium-to-wet. The plant has a USDA rating of zones 4–8. RHS rates it H5 for winter hardiness in Britain. It needs no pruning and has few reported pest or disease problems.

Use it in shaded borders, rock gardens, or woodland plantings. It can also grow beneath shrubs or among meadow flowers. Grow it with ferns, columbines, and bleeding hearts. Sow ripe seed in containers in an open frame. You can also divide plants in autumn to raise more. PFAF lists boiled roots as a food rich in starch. But it also calls the plant poisonous. Treat that food record with caution, not as proof of safety. PFAF also records uses as medicine for pain and sleep. It warns against prescribing the tubers during pregnancy.