Jacobaea paludosa

RHS Plant Profile

fen ragwort

Other common names

bird's tongue, marsh groundsel

Synonyms

Senecio palludosus, Senecio paludosus

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

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

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