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Caltha palustris

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Characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial, Aquatic or Bog

Habit

Clump-forming

Resilience

Hardiness

old H4 (hardy)

Colour

Flower

Dark Yellow in Spring

Foliage

Green in Autumn, Spring and Summer

Size

Ultimate height

0.1-0.5 metres

Ultimate spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2-5 years

Preferred common name

marsh marigold

Family

Ranunculaceae

Caltha are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with simple, usually heart-shaped leaves and cup-shaped yellow or white flowers in early spring

C. palustris is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial to 50cm, with rounded, rich green leaves and clusters of deep yellow flowers 4cm in width

Other common names

boots
brave bassinets
bull flower
cow lily
crazy Beth
crowfoot
drunkards
goldes
goldings
golds
gools
horse blob
kingcup
mare blob
marybuds
May blob
meadow buttercup
meadow cowslip
meadow gowan
meadow-bright
publican's cloak
publicans-and-sinners
soldier's buttons
water boots
water buttercup
water cowslip
water dragon
water goggles
water gowan
yellow gowan

Synonym(s)

Caltha cornuta

Suppliers

Suppliers listed in RHS Plant Finder

How to grow

Sunlight

Full sun

Aspect

South-facing or West-facing

Exposed

Cultivation

Grow in an open site in rich boggy soil at the water's edge in full sun

Soil

Poorly-drained

Neutral, Acid or Alkaline

Loam

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by division in late summer or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance or Wildlife Gardens

How to care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest free

Diseases

Powdery mildews may be a problem

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