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Herbaceous Perennial

Taraxacum officinale agg.

dandelion

A genus of around 250 microspecies of tap-rooted herbaceous perennials, more commonly known as dandelions. These form rosettes of long, toothed green leaves and a milky sap-producing hollow stem. Florets of bright yellow flowers appear from April to June, followed by seed heads (or 'clocks') that are easily dispersed on the breeze. Provides a good nectar source for flying insects and a larval food source fo moths

Other common names

blowball
cankerwort
see morefairy clock
heart-fever grass
Irish daisy
lion's teeth
milk gowan
pee in the bed
pissabed
priest's crown
swine's snout
cankerweed
horse gowan
yellow gowan

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Plant nurseries
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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Taraxacum are a large genus of herbaceous perennial plants native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Leaves are around 5 to 25cm long and the yellow to orange flower heads open during the day and close at night.
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Happy in a wide range of conditions. Prefers a rich soil. Naturally found in grassy places and waste ground. For more information see dandelion, and our video Why dandelions matter

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Seeds freely

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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