About
Chelidonium majus is a moderately hairy, spreading herbaceous plant that can reach heights of up to 90 cm. It features large, lobed leaves that are pinnately divided and produces yellow flowers during the spring and summer months. This species readily self-seeds and establishes itself in various environments.
About the genus
Chelidonium consists of upright biennials or short-lived perennials characterized by abundant orange sap. The foliage features pinnately dissected leaves, and the plants produce poppy-like flowers that appear in loose clusters during the summer months.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Europe, W Asia
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows easily in most soils in any position, but woodland-edge conditions are ideal. Here it can make useful ground cover, providing food and shelter for a range of invertebrates. See greater celandine for more information
- Pruning
- No pruning required, but may need deadheading to reduce prolific self-seeding. Wear gloves and protect skin to avoid contact with the sap
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed by sowing in situ in early spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free