Orontium aquaticum (Golden Club)

A very distinctive beauty, Orontium aquaticum (Golden Club) is a marginal aquatic perennial forming a tight clump of long-stalked, velvety, lance-shaped, blue-green leaves that can reach up to 12 in. in length (30 cm). The leaves float on or emerge from just below the surface of shallow waters. They have a water repellant surface, hence the common name of Never-wet. In early spring, tiny, bright golden-yellow flowers appear in club-shaped fleshy spikes to 6 in. long (15 cm). Emerging above the water, the flowers give way to one-seeded, berry-like green fruits ripening soon after flowering. Orontium aquaticum spreads by stout, slowly creeping rhizomes rooted in the mud of shallow waters. It provides continuous interest throughout the growing season on the edge of a pond or in a wet situation.

• Grows up to 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 12-30 in. wide (30-75 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in clay-loam, sandy to mucky, moist to wet soils. Tolerates part shade, but best leaf color is developed in full sun. Will grow in standing water 1-12 in. deep (2-30 cm).
• A beautiful addition to bog or pond areas, water gardens or slow-moving streams.
• Short-lived flower spikes should be removed as they fade.
• Propagate by seed sown when ripe or division after flowering.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Native to the eastern United States.