Cardamine trifolia, toothwort
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Perennials

Cardamine trifolia

toothwort

Brassicaceae

Central and southern Europe (Alps, Carpathians, Apennines, Dinaric Alps)

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 inches (10-20 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A low-growing evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial forming a spreading mat 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide, spreading by creeping rhizomes. Leaves are trifoliate (divided into three leaflets), each leaflet 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) wide, rounded to obovate, with irregularly toothed margins, dark green and glossy above, often purple-tinged beneath, borne on petioles 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long. Leaves remain evergreen in zones 6-9; may die back in hard winters in zone 5. Flower stems are 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall, bearing loose racemes of 8-15 small flowers 0.3-0.5 inches (8-12 mm) across, each with four white petals in a cross arrangement typical of the mustard family. Flowers appear in early spring. Seed pods are slender siliques 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long, produced after flowering. Spread by rhizomes is slow to moderate, 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) per year. In optimum shaded, moist conditions, plants form dense, weed-suppressing mats over several years.

Native Range

Native to central and southern Europe, including the Alps, Apennines, Carpathians, and Dinaric Alps, where it grows in moist, shaded beech and mixed broadleaf forests, along stream banks, and in rocky woodland floors on humus-rich, well-drained to moist soils. Grows at elevations from 1,600 to 6,500 feet (500-2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a groundcover in shaded woodland gardens and under deciduous trees at 12-15 inch (30-38 cm) spacing; colonies fill in over 2-3 years. Suitable for underplanting beneath rhododendrons and other large shade shrubs. Not suited to dry or sunny borders.

How to Identify

Identified by trifoliate leaves with three rounded, toothed leaflets on a creeping mat plant 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall. Leaflets are dark glossy green above, often with purplish coloring below. Small four-petaled white flowers in loose racemes appear in early spring. The combination of trifoliate evergreen leaves, creeping rhizomatous habit, and early white flowers is distinctive. Distinguished from Oxalis (wood sorrel) by white (not yellow or pink) flowers and toothed (not heart-shaped) leaflets.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
purple

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Early spring, typically March to April in zones 5-8. Flowering occurs before or as leaves fully expand. Individual racemes flower for 2-3 weeks; total bloom period is 3-4 weeks. No rebloom. Foliage provides year-round ornamental interest.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, four-petaled, small, in loose racemes

Foliage Description

Dark green, glossy above; trifoliate with rounded toothed leaflets; often purple-tinged beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loampeat
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Water during establishment; established plants in suitable shaded conditions with adequate rainfall require no supplemental irrigation. Apply a 2-inch (5 cm) layer of leaf mulch to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature. Does not tolerate full sun or dry soil; leaves bleach and dry out when exposed to summer sun without consistent moisture. Division every 4-5 years in early spring or autumn maintains vigor and spreads the planting. No significant pest or disease issues in properly sited conditions.

Pruning

No pruning is required. Remove any dead or damaged leaves in early spring before new growth begins. Do not cut back the entire mat; the evergreen foliage is the primary ornamental feature and regrowth from hard cutback is slow.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic