Cardamine waldsteinii

Waldstein’s Toothwort Brassicaceae

A lovely, slightly unusual woodland bittercress, Cardamine waldsteinii forms spreading carpets of fresh green, three-lobed leaves, above which slender stems carry loose clusters of delicate white flowers in spring. Native to southern Austria, southern Hungary and the northwestern Balkans, it occurs in moist woodland and other damp habitats, often where soils remain cool and rich in organic matter. 

 Grow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil in partial or full shade; it is particularly good beneath deciduous trees and for naturalistic groundcover. The young foliage has the peppery character typical of Cardamine and can be eaten, although it is better regarded as a piquant woodland garnish than a crop.

Height: 10–30cm.

Spread: 10–50cm.

Flowers: April–June.

 Hardiness: H5, (–15 to –10°C)