Overview

Arnica longifolia is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Arnica, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Arnica longifolia grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.

About

Arnica longifolia is a North American species of arnica in the sunflower family, known by the common names seep-spring arnica, longleaf arnica and spearleaf arnica. This flowering perennial is native to the forests of western Canada (British Columbia + Alberta) and the western United States (Rocky Mountains, Cascades, Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada and other mountains of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana). In the garden it prefers full sun and loam soil. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds. It tolerates neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in a suitable position. Water during establishment.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Arnica longifolia

About the genus

Arnica is a genus of perennial, herbaceous plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The genus name Arnica may be derived from the Greek arni, "lamb", in reference to the plants' soft, hairy leaves. Arnica is also known by the names mountain tobacco and, confusingly, leopard's bane and wolfsbane—two names that it shares with the entirely unrelated genus Aconitum.

Wikipedia contributors, "Arnica", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Arnica

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Arnica

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Arnica longifolia size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Arnica longifolia

Propagation

Seed sown in a cold frame in autumn, Division in spring

Pest resistance

Caterpillars, Slugs

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions