About
Petasites hybridus, the butterbur, is a large, vigorous, native, rhizomatous perennial producing dense, cylindrical clusters of pinkish flowerheads on stout, upright stems in early spring before the enormous, heart-shaped leaves emerge � growing to 1 m across. A bold plant for a moist, informal wild garden. Can colonise extensively via fleshy rhizomes.
About the genus
Petasites, the butterburs, are large, vigorous, rhizomatous perennials with very large, heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves and dense clusters of small, daisy-like flowerheads on scaly stems in early spring, before the leaves. Grown in moist, informal borders and wild gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Matforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationPrefers wet soil and partial shade, occuring naturally in damp fields and woods, or along streamsides and ditches. Develops from a strong network of rhizomes, and can be useful to stabilise sloping ground, but may swamp other plants and need to be controlled in gardens. See butterbur and winter heliotrope for more information
PruningNo pruning needed but can remove old foliage once it dies down
PropagationDivide in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free