Emerging out of the cracks and crevices of the stone wall within the Scott Entrance Garden is a perennial with fern-like foliage and an upright spike of yellow flowers. Commonly know as the ferny corydalis, Corydalis cheilanthifolia can stump the plant aficionado.

Corydalia cheilanthifolia growing in the stone wall in the Scott Entrance garden. photo credit: R. Robert

While not a member of the fern family, the semi-evergreen fern-like foliage is often the source of confusion. Ferny corydalis is easily identifiable when in bloom from spring to early summer. The spike-like racemes of straight-spurred deep yellow flowers are representative of the corydalis genera.

A native of western and central China, Corydalis cheilanthifolia thrives in full to part sun with well drained soil. This is great plant to allow to self-seed in your garden. It also appreciates the moderately fertile soil of a rock garden.

In addition to sprouting from the wall in the Scott Entrance garden, this plant is creating a home in the John W. Nason garden.