Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
[kor-ID-ah-liss LOO-tee-ah]

Semi-Evergreen Perennial Mound-Forming in the Papaveraceae Family
Cheerful golden-yellow blooms over ferny blue-green foliage, nearly nonstop from spring to frost -- a tough, self-sowing perennial for deep shade.

Yellow corydalis (Corydalis lutea) is a tough, finely textured perennial for shade, producing clusters of bright yellow, spurred flowers almost continuously from late spring until frost. Ferny, blue-green foliage forms a tidy mound and stays attractive -- often semi-evergreen in milder winters -- through the whole growing season. Easy and adaptable, it self-sows readily in gravelly or well-drained soil, perfect for softening stone walls, steps, and shady nooks, though it is not for wet, soggy ground.

Pros

  • Blooms nearly nonstop from late spring to frost
  • Thrives in full shade where little else flowers
  • Attractive ferny blue-green foliage all season
  • Low-maintenance, pest- and disease-free

Cons

  • Self-seeds freely and can pop up in unwanted spots
  • Dislikes soggy winter soil
  • Toxic to horses if ingested
Why Like

A European woodland native long naturalized in cottage gardens, yellow corydalis rewards with months of cheerful yellow flowers in deep shade where few other perennials bloom at all. Its ferny, blue-green foliage and eagerness to self-sow into gravel, stone walls, and garden gaps make it a classic, reliably-reappearing plant for shady, informal gardens.
Highlights

One of the few true full-shade perennials with months of continuous bloom -- a classic cottage-garden self-seeder for stone walls and shady gaps.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 10 - 18 inches tall. 12 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium:

Tolerates dry spells well once established, reflecting its native rocky, free-draining habitat, but does not tolerate waterlogged soil, especially during winter.
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Container, Deer Resistant, Dry, Fast Growth Rate, Fragrant Flowers, Full Shade, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Groundcover, Medium, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period Late Spring - Fall
Flower Color Bright Yellow
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with shade perennials such as bleeding heart, hellebore, heuchera, ferns, and hosta, and can fill in under taller sun-tolerant perennials like peonies or daylilies in brighter spots.
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 07/26
2023 : 05/04 - 07/08

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

The next order is coming up soon. Here's a link to our ordering calendar. Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!