About the genus

Lactuca, commonly known as lettuce, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The genus includes at 117 recognized species, distributed worldwide, but mainly in temperate Eurasia.

In the garden

Mulgedium sits taxonomically in the Asteraceae family and is treated as a distinct genus. That placement indicates a relationship with other daisy-family taxa, but individual Mulgedium species can differ widely in size, seasonality and cultural requirements. Accurate species identification is the starting point for any successful use in the garden. Growing advice for Mulgedium cannot be generalised across the whole genus: check the species name and any accompanying cultivation notes before planting. For each species follow the supplier’s guidance on sowing, planting depth, moisture and aspect; provenance and the species epithet will indicate likely tolerance of sun, shade or drought. Where propagation advice is given, mirror it rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. In the UK garden, the best role for a Mulgedium depends on its species characteristics: some are better suited to open, naturalised areas, others to mixed borders or containers. Read species-specific descriptions to confirm expected height, flowering period and whether a position in the garden will suit that particular Mulgedium.

From the Fenn Plants journal

• Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
• Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
• Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.