Cardamine pratensis
Cuckoo flower
Common names: Meadow sweet, Meadow clover, Bachkresse
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Cardamine pratensis is a native spring flower that blooms from mid‑April to mid‑May on damp meadows, stream banks, and in sunny gardens. It produces delicate lilac flowers and young leaves that taste peppery‑sharp, making it a popular salad or butter‑bread garnish. As one of the first nectar sources of the year, it is important for the Apollo butterfly, whose caterpillars feed on it. The plant prefers a moist, nutrient‑rich site and can tolerate occasional wet feet. In a natural garden or by a pond it is a valuable, low‑maintenance addition.
Care instructions
Cardamine pratensis thrives in moist conditions: provide a semi‑shaded to sunny spot with consistently damp, humus‑rich soil, ideally by a pond or in a wildflower meadow. Water regularly during dry spells, as drying soil is poorly tolerated. After flowering, leave the plant standing; it will retreat in summer and regrow the following spring. Fertilisation is usually unnecessary; a compost addition in autumn suffices. Allow some seed beds to remain, and the meadow sweet will naturally spread and form lovely clumps over time.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, nutrient-rich, humus-rich, loamy
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedLeguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
carrot family (Apiaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
mint family (Lamiaceae)
You will notice that the intense scent of basil, thyme, and others confuses the cabbage whitefly and keeps it away from the cabbage family.
For example LavenderThymeBasilRosemarySageHyssop and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: bio-gardening intercropping practice
nasturtium family (Tropaeolaceae)
Nasturtium serves as a trap plant for you. Aphids and cabbage whiteflies prefer it over the brassicaceae next to it.
For example Tropaeolum majusMashua
Source: Trap plant practice in organic horticulture
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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