Latin Name: Caltha palustris
Not actually a Marigold but rather a member of the Buttercup family!
"WHY DO YOU BUILD ME UP?! (build me up) BUTTERCUP BABY..."
Naturalizing, mounding perennial native to areas in North America (see map below for range) that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Photo Credit: Missouri Botanical Gardens
● Canadian Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (ONP)
(USDA Zone: 3-7, according to MBG)
● Plant Type: Perennial
● Bloom Time: April-June (and again later in Summer if protected from extreme heat)
● Bloom Colour: Yellow
● Maintenance: Low
● Water Use: High (prefers wet soils)
"If I buy you, bring you home, stick you in the ground, water you and love you -
and you DIE on me - either I didn't do my research OR - you're a sh*t plant."
- a Motivational Speech for plants
Benefits
What makes this plant beneficial to people, places, animals or our environment?
Easy to grow from seed (use stratification techniques) and seed pods create visual interest in the garden (see image below).
Excellent source of food for a range of pollinators
Native
Will help keep pond water clear as it feeds off the same nitrates as algae!
Characteristics
What does it LOOK like?
Yellow bloom in Spring and again in Summer if protected from extreme heat
Mounding habit
Dark green foliage makes the yellow flowers POP!
Height & Spread: 1-1.5 feet
Photo Credit: EverWilde Farms Inc.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Where does it GROW?
Ponds & Wet Areas
Hollow stems will float in water making this an excellent choice for rain gardens or ponds.
Place in FULL SUN to PART SHADE
Flowers best in full sun though prefers part shade and protection from extreme heat.
Pests/Diseases/Issues
Does this plant attract deer, mosquitos or Japanese beetles? Is it susceptible to blight, leaf spot or root rot?
Deer & Rabbit - tolerant
Photo Credit: MBG
In the Garden/Home/Landscape
Why did I choose to spend my time writing about this particular plant?
The little yellow flowers against the dark green foliage is stunning to look at!
Excellent for wet areas!
Native species that provides a source of food for a multitude of pollinators!
Tips, Tricks and Notes
In Latin, "Caltha" means "cup" and "palustris" means "of the swamp".
POISONOUS! No part of this plant should be consumed raw (though there are references to eating this plant after being boiled - which I DO NOT recommend)
Other Resources:
Baseline Nurseries, London Ontario CANADA: http://baselinenurseries.com/
Heeman's, London Ontario CANADA: https://store.heeman.ca/
Parkway Garden Centre, London Ontario CANADA: https://parkwaygardens.ca/
Canadale Nurseries, St. Thomas Ontario CANADA: https://canadale.ca/
Ontario Native Plants Online, CANADA: https://onplants.ca/
Native Plants in Claremont, Ontario CANADA: https://www.nativeplants.ca/
Heritage Perennials in Canada: www.perennials.com
Bamboo Plants in Canada: https://www.bambooplants.ca/full-plant-list/
Missouri Botanical Garden Online: www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
Proven Winners Online: https://www.provenwinners.com/
This is just one plant of SO MANY!
Stay tuned for a new post each week that summarizes an Annual, Perennial, Bulb, Shrub or Tree!
Weekly #FridayFeatureFlower At the top is the pep talk I give my new plants before purchasing them.
I have had a lot dead plants and broken-hearts over the years and I hope that this weekly feature will provide a bit of the research side to help others from suffering my same fate.
~ LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES ~
The main focus of this blog is plants that thrive outdoors in Southwestern Ontario.
Each week, I’ll review benefits, characteristics, growing conditions, Pests/Diseases/Issues and landscape/garden design applications of one of my favourite, high-impact, low-maintenance plants!
I want your Feedback!
Have you had a different experience with this plant?
Love it? Hate it? Want to know where you can find it? Is there a plant or flower you would like to know more about?
Leave your comments below
or contact me through my website: www.mylandscapeartist.ca
Heather Jerrard, My Landscape Artist
Follow me on Instagram! @mylandscapeartist
Comments