Cuckooflower
Cardamine pratensis
Also listed as Crucifera pratensis, Dracamine pratensis
Also known as Lady's-smock, Milkmaids, Whitsuntide Gilliflower
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate spring wildflower with pale lilac to white four-petaled flowers and finely divided foliage. Thrives in damp meadows and woodland edges, attracting pollinators early in the season.
Why grow it
Cuckooflower provides reliable early-season forage for pollinators when few other nectar sources are available, making it valuable for supporting beneficial insects in spring meadows and woodland margins. Compared to cultivated spring bulbs, it establishes readily from seed in moist soils and self-sows in suitable conditions, reducing ongoing maintenance once established. Its fine, edible foliage also offers a peppery addition to salads, adding functional value beyond ornamental appeal.
Watch out for
Plants prefer consistently moist soil and may struggle or decline in dry summers without supplemental water. Dense shade or competition from vigorous perennials can suppress flowering and reduce stand vigor, so site selection matters more than intensive management. Self-seeding can be prolific in ideal conditions, so deadheading after flowering may be necessary if spread needs controlling.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Native to: Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate spring wildflower with pale lilac to white four-petaled flowers and finely divided foliage. Thrives in damp meadows and woodland edges, attracting pollinators early in the season.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Cuckooflower grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cuckooflower provides reliable early-season forage for pollinators when few other nectar sources are available, making it valuable for supporting beneficial insects in spring meadows and woodland margins. Compared to cultivated spring bulbs, it establishes readily from seed in moist soils and self-sows in suitable conditions, reducing ongoing maintenance once established. Its fine, edible foliage also offers a peppery addition to salads, adding functional value beyond ornamental appeal.
Watch out for
Plants prefer consistently moist soil and may struggle or decline in dry summers without supplemental water. Dense shade or competition from vigorous perennials can suppress flowering and reduce stand vigor, so site selection matters more than intensive management. Self-seeding can be prolific in ideal conditions, so deadheading after flowering may be necessary if spread needs controlling.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Native to: Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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