Corydalis and Dicentra

Things are beginning to take shape (regarding Kind Hearts and Corydalis’ new virtual home), so I thought I’d write a short post to say hello and introduce our new home. This website is the online manifestation of my collection of plants. These are predominantly Corydalis and Dicentra, along with a few friends such as the less pronounceable Lamprocapnos and Dactylicapnos. Collectively they form the taxonomically dubious (but logically sound) family of plants: Fumariaceae.

For the uninitiated, the plants we’re talking about here are probably best exemplified by two plants which are no longer called either Corydalis or Dicentra: Pseudofumaria lutea (previously Corydalis lutea, AKA Yellow Corydalis) and Lamprocapnos spectabilis (previously Dicentra spectabilis, AKA Bleeding Heart). The reason for the complicated naming situation is the subject for another day.

Yellow Corydalis

This is a common plant in the UK, often found enjoying the lime-rich crevices of old walls and paving. It is one of those plants that, to human eyes, occupies the hinterland between a worthy garden plant and a weed. It is quite cheerful to look at, but has a tendency to grow where it wants rather than behaving nicely. Personally, I appreciate it’s head-strong attitude.

Bleeding Heart or Dicentra

Bleeding Hearts are another matter: they are stalwarts of the spring garden. They reliably produce long strings of indecently ornate dangling heart shaped flowers. They have been beloved of gardeners in China for hundreds of years, and have been popular here in the UK and the West at large since at least the early 19th century.

Although these two plants are not strictly Corydalis and Dicentra respectively, they are both commonly found plants that show the two basic flower shapes in the Fumariaceae family.

As well as blogging about this family of plants, and other phytologically related things, I plan to sell some plants as the year goes on. I should have a few things available by the end of the month. I’ll keep you updated in upcoming posts.

At this point, it is perhaps worth explaining the name of this little enterprise. I can only assume you have heard of one of the greatest British comedies of all time: Kind Hearts and Coronets. Hopefully, you can see the play on words here. I think it is quite possible that there is no area of life that is not improved by a spot of word play, including website names. ‘Nuff said.

In other news, Twitter and Instagram accounts are up and running. Do follow me if that tickles your fancy. Alternatively, sign up to be kept up to date by email. This site is a work in progress; I’ll keep adding bits and bobs as the month goes on, so keep in touch!