Rosy fumewort
Fumaria capreolata · Papaveraceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around rosy fumewort and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, very finely cut and delicate
- Flowering
- April to September, bicolor white-pink flowers
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m in height
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate, zones 8-10
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and North Africa
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light, low maintenance
Care
Sun exposure
Choose a sunny to partially shaded location to encourage generous flowering. Climbing fumitory appreciates sheltered spots away from strong winds. It tolerates heat and direct exposure well in temperate climates.
Watering
Water regularly when first planting, then moderately once established. During active growing season (spring-summer), keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter according to local conditions.
Soil and planting
Plant in well-drained, light, slightly acidic soil. Moderate enrichment with compost at planting time is sufficient. This plant prefers poor to average soils and dreads chronic waterlogging.
Fertilizer
A balanced feed in spring is more than enough. Avoid excess nitrogen which would favor foliage at the expense of flowering. An over-fed plant often becomes less floriferous and more fragile.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact form and remove dead wood. In late winter before growth resumes, gentle cutting encourages branching. Guide the flexible stems on a trellis from a young age to achieve good structure.
Diseases and pests
Generally robust, fumitory mainly fears stagnant humidity which promotes rot. Watch for aphids at the start of the season, treating naturally if needed. Good air circulation prevents most fungal problems.
Did you know?
Fumitory owes its common name to the Latin 'fumus terrae' (smoke of the earth) because of the cloudy, airy appearance of its finely cut foliage. Its bicolor flowers with white and pink petals inspired several folk traditions in the Mediterranean, where it self-seeds readily in gardens and old walls.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Bleeding heartLamprocapnos spectabilis
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- California poppyEschscholzia californica
- Opium poppyPapaver somniferum
- Solid-bulbed corydalisCorydalis solida
- Climbing corydalisCeratocapnos claviculata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.