Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) Corydalis solida
Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) (Corydalis solida) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Deciduous woods of Europe and western Asia. It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
Plan Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) in your garden →
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Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Deciduous woods of Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: tubers, all parts
Contains isoquinoline alkaloids (bulbocapnine and others): harmful if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush)
- How far apart should I plant Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush)?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 cm (4–6 in).
- Does Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains isoquinoline alkaloids (bulbocapnine and others): harmful if eaten.
- What grows well with Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fumewort (bird-in-a-bush). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
Notes and assumptions
- A small spring bulb: plant in autumn, about three times its own depth, under deciduous trees, in grass or in pots; let the leaves die down naturally after flowering so the bulb can feed for next year.
- Ferny blue-grey leaves and dense spikes of spurred flowers like little birds, mauve, pink or (in ‘George Baker’) brick-red, in early spring; bumblebee queens visit them. Ants spread the seeds. Gone underground by early summer.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Field poppy Papaver rhoeas
- Bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- California poppy Eschscholzia californica
- Oriental poppy Papaver orientale
- Himalayan blue poppy Meconopsis betonicifolia
- Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
- Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis