Coralroot (Cardamine bulbifera) - Wildlife-Friendly Woodland (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free Bulbs)

Cardamine bulbifera (Coralroot) brings a gentle splash of spring colour to shady places. Slender stems carry loose sprays of pale mauve-pink blooms that look beautiful among emerging ferns, primroses and violets. In Britain it’s very local (ancient-woodland associate in parts of southern Britain) and naturalised elsewhere, but in gardens it’s straightforward provided the soil is moist, humus-rich and well-drained.

Wildlife value: Flowers in early spring when forage is scarce, supporting bees, hoverflies and other early insects. The light, layered canopy and leaf-litter planting it prefers also benefits a range of woodland invertebrates.

Spreading & control (the honest bit):
Coralroot makes tiny bulbils in the leaf axils after flowering; when these drop, new plants appear nearby. In the right shady soil it can seed itself around to form a charming colony. It’s easy to manage:

• Snip stems after flowering but before bulbils mature if you want to limit spread.

• Lift or pull unwanted youngsters (they come away cleanly).

• Best for beds/borders or larger shady corners - avoid tiny spaces if you want everything static.

Planting:

• Position: Light shade to part shade; dappled woodland or north/east beds.

• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained; mix in leaf-mould/composted bark.

• Depth/spacing: Plant at 2–3× bulb size (about 5–7 cm deep), 20–30 cm apart in loose groups.

• Care: Keep evenly moist in spring, then allow foliage to die back naturally.

Joel says…
“Coralroot is perfect for bringing that woodland feel to a shady border. It flowers early, looks delicate, and then quietly spreads by those little bulbils. If you want it contained, just deadhead before the bulbils drop. As always, these are peat-free and ready to thrive.”

Safety / truth note:
Grown for ornamental and wildlife value. NOT sold as an edible; please don’t forage garden plants.

Why Wild Your Garden?  Unlike mass-produced plants from commercial growers, our wildflowers and bulbs come from small, peat-free, pesticide-free family nurseries that share our ethos. These growers use no herbicides, ensuring plants are safe for wildlife from the moment they arrive in your garden. Joel has used these trusted growers for 20+ years in his wildlife landscaping projects, so you can be confident they’re tried, tested, and genuinely wildlife-friendly. By buying from Wild Your Garden, you’re also supporting independent growers who put nature first.