Alphabetical Plant Listing

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,


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 which split open when ripe to disperse the seeds within. This harbinger of spring is one of the first marginal to bloom. The flower buds may be cooked and pickled in vinegar for use as a substitute for capers. 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.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 7
Heat Zones 1 – 7
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Caltha - Marsh Marigolds
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" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom, United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Southeast, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
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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Guentermanaus, ProPhotoPlace, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 7
Heat Zones 1 – 7
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Caltha - Marsh Marigolds
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" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom, United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Southeast, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
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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