This species is very common in central & east China, both in the wild and in cultivation, though it is cultivated for medical uses instead of ornamental purposes. Its Chinese name is xia tian wu, which means "nothing in summer", referring to its summer dormancy.

Last spring I dug up five tubers of wild Corydalis decumbens and grew them in a small pot. They sprouted new leaves in November, and this March they produced lots of lovely and sweet rosy flowers which faded to pale lilac with age. Now it begins to flop and will soon go dormant.

I found it not to be ideal for outdoor containers, as strong wind could mess it up, but I think it's a perfect winter-spring ground cover and good companion for deciduous perennials or trees.