Corydalis Solida Merlin

Corydalis solida ‘Merlin’ is a charming early spring perennial that brings gentle colour and life to shaded parts of the garden. One of the first plants to flower after winter, it produces elegant white blooms edged with rich mauve-purple, held above soft, fern-like green foliage. The contrast in colour gives each flower a refined, almost jewel-like appearance.

Perfect for woodland gardens, shady borders, and underplanting beneath trees and shrubs, ‘Merlin’ forms neat, low clumps that look beautiful when planted in groups. Flowering from March to April, it provides early interest just as the garden begins to wake up. After flowering, the foliage naturally dies back, allowing space for later-emerging perennials and bulbs to grow through.

Reliable, hardy, and easy to grow, Corydalis solida ‘Merlin’ will return year after year and gradually naturalise in suitable conditions.

Why you’ll love it

• Early spring flowering when little else is in bloom
• White flowers with distinctive mauve-purple edging
• Soft, finely cut foliage with a woodland feel
• Ideal for shade, underplanting, and naturalising
• Low maintenance and reliably perennial

Planting & Care details

• Height: 10–15 cm
• Spread: 15–20 cm
• Flowering time: March to April
• Planting depth: 8–10 cm
• Spacing: 10–15 cm apart
• Position: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil: Moist but well-drained
• Bulb size: 6/8