About
Macleaya cordata is a robust perennial that can reach heights of 2.5 meters. It features large, rounded leaves that are 5 to 7 lobed and exhibit a grey-green hue, measuring up to 20 centimeters in width with a lighter underside. During the summer, it produces elongated plumes adorned with small, buff-white flowers that can extend up to 1 meter in length.
About the genus
Macleaya consists of sizable herbaceous perennials that grow from rhizomes. They feature broad, palmately lobed foliage and produce expansive panicles filled with small flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Prairie planting
- Native to
- China, Japan, Taiwan
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows best in a deep, moderately fertile soil that is moist but well-drained, but will tolerate most soils. It needs plenty of space and has the potential to become a nuisance on sandy soils. For best foliage, provide shelter from cold winds; like sun but tolerates partial shade
- Pruning
- Cut down to the base in late autumn
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in late autumn or spring or separate root rhizomes when dormant in winter and treat as you would root cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free