About
Doronicum orientale, the Caucasian leopard's bane, is a rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial producing solitary, golden-yellow flowerheads 2.5�5 cm across on slender stems in mid and late spring. It forms a slow, wide-spreading clump with gently scalloped basal leaves with heart-shaped bases and a few stem-leaves. One of the most popular and reliable of all spring-flowering perennials for a sunny or partly shaded border.
About the genus
Doronicum, the leopard's banes, are rhizomatous or tuberous-rooted herbaceous perennials with heart-shaped basal leaves and bright-yellow, daisy-like flowerheads on erect stems in spring. Among the earliest yellow daisies of the gardening year, reliable and easy perennials for sunny or partly shaded borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toSE Europe, Turkey, Caucasus
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, reasonably fertile, preferably sandy soil in partial shade
PruningDeadhead flowers for a second flush of blooms
PropagationPropagate by division in early autumn or propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but leaf and bud eelworm may be troublesome
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf spot, root rot and powdery mildews