Milkmaids

Cardamine californica

perennial herbView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Size

1–1ft tall

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Leaves and stems eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens

Native Range

North Coast from Humboldt County to Marin County, below 2000 ft elevation, in riparian woodlands and coastal scrub

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Milkmaids in full sun to part shade, ideally in fall or winter to match their natural growing season in the Bay Area. This herbaceous perennial grows to about 1 foot tall and will bloom from January through May, so planting before winter ensures you'll catch that early spring flower show. Space plants about 1 foot apart to accommodate their mature size.

After Planting

Milkmaids is a winter-active plant native to our region, so expect it to thrive during the rainy season and go dormant in summer - this is normal, not a sign of trouble. The biggest mistake gardeners make is watering or fussing with the plant during its natural summer dormancy; let it rest. The plant is deer resistant and requires no special pruning once established.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

California TortoiseshellNymphalis californica

California Species of Special Concern; population fluctuations noted

CA Special Concern

Wildlife Supported