How to Grow Cuckoo Flower
Introduction
Cuckoo flower, also known as lady’s smock or milkmaids, is a beautiful perennial plant that attracts wildlife and pollinators. It’s easy to grow and care for, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
Where to Grow Cuckoo Flower
Cuckoo flower prefers moist soil and partial shade, but it can also tolerate full sun. It’s a good choice for wildflower meadows, wetland areas, and woodland gardens.
How to Plant Cuckoo Flower
You can grow cuckoo flower from seed or young plants. The best time to sow seeds is in autumn or early spring. If starting from seed, it’s best to sow them in a cold frame or greenhouse and transplant them to your desired location when they are big enough to handle. Alternatively, you can plant young plants in spring or autumn.
How to Care for Cuckoo Flower
Cuckoo flower is a relatively low-maintenance plant. Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the flowering season. Watering in the morning or evening is ideal to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. Fertilising is not necessary, but a light application of compost or organic matter in spring can help boost growth. Deadheading spent flowers can help encourage more blooms throughout the season.
How to Propagate Cuckoo Flower
Cuckoo flower can be propagated through seeds or division. To propagate through seeds, collect ripe seed pods in autumn. Then either sow them in seed trays to transplant when large enough to handle, or scatter seed where you want it to grow. To propagate through division, dig up an established plant in spring or autumn and gently separate the clumps of roots. Replant the divided clumps in a new location, water thoroughly, and watch them grow.
Pests and Diseases
Cuckoo flower is a relatively hardy plant that is not often troubled by pests or diseases.
Advice on Buying Cuckoo Flower
When buying cuckoo flower, it’s important to choose healthy, vigorous plants. Make sure there is a healthy, well established root system inside the pot and that the plant has not become pot-bound.
Where to Buy Cuckoo Flower Online
There are many online retailers that sell cuckoo flower plants and seeds.
Cuckoo Flower Varieties
There are several different varieties of cuckoo flower available, including:
- Cardamine pratensis white flowered – pure white flowers
- Cardamine pratensis ‘Flore Pleno’ – frilly, double flowers in shades of pink and white
