Caltha palustris
marsh marigold
This pond plant dies right back in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: reliably moist or boggy, 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.
Plant in reliably 'boggy' ground. Low maintenance, caltha will often re-grow and flower again in autumn if cut back hard in summer. Lift and divide large clumps in late spring.