Overview

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' is a perennial in the genus Caltha, part of the Ranunculaceae family. It typically grows around 0.3 m tall. Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to Europe, Asia and North America.

About

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' is a perennial in the ranunculus family grown for its early-season flowering. It reaches about 0.3 m and prefers consistently wet soils. Give it a sunny position in sandy, loamy or clay ground and it will tolerate UK winters as a fully hardy plant. Its flowering period in the UK runs from March to May.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0Caltha palustris

About the genus

Caltha is a genus of rhizomatous perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, to which ten species have been assigned. They occur in moist environments in temperate and cold regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Their leaves are generally heart-shaped or kidney-shaped, or are characteristically diplophyllous.

Wikipedia contributors, "Caltha", CC BY-SA 4.0Caltha

In the garden

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' is a herbaceous perennial in the Ranunculaceae, native to temperate parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The cultivar name marks its horticultural identity while the species' habits make it suitable where soil remains reliably wet. Plants are compact, reaching roughly 0.3 m in height and are valued for producing their blooms early in the year. Plant into a sunny site; full sun suits this cultivar and it will also take bright, open conditions that do not dry out. It tolerates a broad range of soils — sandy, loamy or clay — provided they stay wet rather than free-draining. In the UK it is H7 hardy, so it can remain outdoors through winter without special protection; the equivalent USDA range is 3–7. Use Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' where moisture is persistent: alongside stream and pond edges, in damp hollows of borders or in a bog garden setting. It occupies a low tier in planting schemes, so position it in front of taller moisture-loving perennials. Expect its flowering in the UK between March and May, making it one of the earlier perennials to mark the wet parts of the garden calendar.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Caltha

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
Soil moisture
Wet
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type
Perennial
Height
0.3 m
Native to
Europe, Asia, North America

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno'

Propagation
Division, Seed

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno'?

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' prefers full sun.

What soil does Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' need?

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. Aim for soil that stays wet.

How big does Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' grow?

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' reaches a height of 0.3 m.

Is Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' hardy in the UK?

Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Caltha palustris 'Flore Pleno'?

Division, Seed.

More in the Caltha genus

Browse all Caltha