Jacobaea paludosa

RHS Plant Profile
fen ragwort

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Other common names

marsh groundsel, bird's tongue

Synonyms

Senecio paludosus
Senecio palludosus

Herbaceous Perennial

An herbaceous perennial with a stiff, upright habit that grows up to 2m tall. It has green, lance-shaped leaves that are sharply toothed with a greyish felted underside. It produces clusters of yellow flowers with a classic daisy-like appearance from June to August

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
A genus of around 35 species of native, flowering biennial or perennial herbaceous plants, previously grouped as Senecio and more commonly known as Ragwort. Stems are upright, foliage pinnate and lobed and clusters of flowers bright yellow and daisy-like in appearance. Although primarily known as being toxic to horses and cattle, it is also a valuable food source for pollinators
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W & C Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in permanently moist soil in a sunny location or in water at pool margins. See Creating wildflower meadows for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seeds outdoors or divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, for more information see cutting back herbaceous perennials

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free