Caltha palustris
marsh marigold
This pond plant dies right back in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil: reliably moist or boggy soil, or aquatic compost
- Depth of water: 0-5cm
- Rate of growth: average to fast
- Flowering period: April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
The kidney-shaped dark green leaves of this lovely marsh marigold are excellent for softening the edges of a pond. One of the first marginal plants into bloom, it produces a mass of waxy, yellow buttercup-like flowers in April. It is ideally suited to boggy conditions, and will cope with shallow water rise and fall normally seen in seasonal pond level changes. - Garden care: Plant in reliably 'boggy' ground. Low maintenance, caltha will often re-grow and flower again in autumn if cut back hard in summer. Once established, lift and divide overly-large clumps in late spring.