Milkmaids
Cardamine californica
Also listed as Dentaria californica, Cardamine cardiophylla
Also known as American Milkmaids, California Toothwort, Tooth Wort
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate California native wildflower with white or pale pink flowers and finely divided foliage that blooms in spring. Milkmaids prefer moist, shaded woodland conditions and are best suited to naturalized gardens.
Why grow it
Milkmaids offers earlier spring interest than many competing woodland understory plants, often flowering while soil is still cool and moist. Among California native Cardamine species, C. californica is particularly well-suited to shaded conditions with consistent moisture, making it a reliable choice for riparian restoration or naturalized plantings where spring ephemerals are desired. Its fine foliage texture provides season-long visual interest even after flowering concludes.
Watch out for
This species goes dormant by early summer in drier microclimates, so positioning it where later-season perennials can fill its space prevents bare patches. Seedlings can be slow to establish; consistent moisture during the first growing season supports better survival rates than sporadic watering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: California, Oregon, Washington
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 California native wildflower with white or pale pink flowers and finely divided foliage that blooms in spring. Milkmaids prefer moist, shaded woodland conditions and are best suited to naturalized gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Milkmaids grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Milkmaids offers earlier spring interest than many competing woodland understory plants, often flowering while soil is still cool and moist. Among California native Cardamine species, C. californica is particularly well-suited to shaded conditions with consistent moisture, making it a reliable choice for riparian restoration or naturalized plantings where spring ephemerals are desired. Its fine foliage texture provides season-long visual interest even after flowering concludes.
Watch out for
This species goes dormant by early summer in drier microclimates, so positioning it where later-season perennials can fill its space prevents bare patches. Seedlings can be slow to establish; consistent moisture during the first growing season supports better survival rates than sporadic watering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: California, Oregon, Washington
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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