Cuckoo Flower

(Cardamine pratensis)

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)

J. Patrick Fischer

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: J. Patrick Fischer

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: J. Patrick Fischer | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: J. Patrick Fischer | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Blume_in_Wildbad_07.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description={{en|1=''[[Carex atherodes]]'' from Gary Larson, USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Instit

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Cardamine pratensis, commonly known as Cuckoo Flower or Lady’s Smock, is a deciduous perennial herb native to damp meadows, riverbanks, and wet woodlands across Europe, Asia, and North America. It typically grows to a height of 40–60 cm and features a flowering spike 10–30 cm long. Each flower, measuring 1–2 cm in diameter, has four very pale violet-pink (rarely white) petals that are most showy from April to June. This plant is particularly noted for its early spring blooms and its role as a larval food plant for the orange tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines).

The Cuckoo Flower is valued for its ability to attract wildlife, including butterflies and bees, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens and meadow plantings. It thrives in moist to wet conditions and prefers full sun to part shade. While adaptable to a range of soil types, it does best in soils that are rich and retain moisture well. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread readily by seed, potentially becoming aggressive in ideal conditions. Despite this, its ornamental value and ecological benefits make it a desirable addition to naturalistic plantings and areas dedicated to conservation.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1-1.5 feet
Width: 1-1.5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Damp meadows, riverbanks, and wet woodlands across Europe, Asia, and North America

Other Names

Common Names: European Field Bittercress, Lady’s Smock, Meadow Bittercress, Meadow Cress, Cuckoo-Flower, Spinks, Lady’s-Smock, Engkarse, Wiesenschaumkraut, Wiesen-Schaumkraut

Scientific Names: , Cardamine pratensis, Cardamine pratensis subsp. pratensis, Cardamine pratensis var. pratensis, Cardamine matthioli, Cardamine praticola, Cardamine hayneana, Cardamine herbivaga, Cardamine fragilis, Cardamine fossicola

GBIF Accepted Name: Cardamine pratensis L.