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Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold)

Marsh Marigold, Kingcup, Boots, Brave Bassinets, Bull Flower, Cow Lily, Crazy Beth, Crowfoot, Drunkards, Goldes, Golds, Goldings, Gools, Horse Blob, May Blob, Mare Blob, Marybuds, Meadow-Bright, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cowslip, Meadow Gowan, Publican's Cloak, Publicans-and-Sinners, Soldier's Buttons, Water Boots,Water Buttercup, Water Cowslip, Water Dragon, Water Goggles, Water Gowan, Yellow Gowan,

Caltha palustris, Marsh Marigold, Kingcup, Boots,Meadow-Bright, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cowslip, Soldier's Buttons, Water Boots,Water Buttercup, Water Cowslip, Water Dragon, Yellow Flowers
Caltha palustris, Marsh Marigold, Kingcup, Boots,Meadow-Bright, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cowslip, Soldier's Buttons, Water Boots,Water Buttercup, Water Cowslip, Water Dragon, Yellow Flowers

Awakening the pond in spring, Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial prized for its clusters of brilliant yellow flowers, up to 2 in. (5 cm), resembling buttercups. Blooming from mid-spring to early summer, they open over the succulent heart or kidney-shaped, rich green leaves, which tend to get smaller as they progress up the stem. The blossoms give way to seed pods that split open when ripe to disperse the seeds. This harbinger of spring is one of the first marginal to bloom. The flower buds may be cooked and pickled in vinegar as a caper substitute. The leaves are sometimes used as potherbs but require several short boilings to remove the poisonous elements. They should not be eaten raw.

  • Grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in shallow water at the margins of a pond or water garden or in wet, boggy soils. Can grow in shallow water up to 4-5 in. deep (10-12 cm). Best flower production occurs in full sun, but this plant appreciates some afternoon shade in summer.
  • Low maintenance, this perennial plant is generally pest free. Keep an eye out for powdery mildews. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by division in late summer or early spring.
  • Divide root clumps before the flowers appear or when plants are dormant in summer.
  • Native to the northern temperate regions.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Caltha
Common names Marsh Marigold
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom, United States, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Midwest, Alaska, California, Northeast, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Indiana, Washington, Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Caltha leptosepala (Western Marsh Marigold)
Caltha polypetala (Giant Marsh Marigold)

Recommended Companion Plants

Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered Lily)
Carex elata ‘Aurea’ (Bowles’ Golden Sedge)
Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone)
Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’ (Water Iris)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Caltha
Common names Marsh Marigold
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom, United States, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Midwest, Alaska, California, Northeast, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Indiana, Washington, Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Caltha to pick?
Compare Now

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