Caltha palustris

RHS Plant Profile
marsh marigold

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Other common names

boots, brave bassinets, bull flower, cow lily, crazy Beth, crowfoot, drunkards, gold y gors, goldes, goldings, golds, gools, horse blob, kingcup, mare blob, marybuds, May blob, meadow buttercup, meadow cowslip, meadow gowan, meadow-bright, publican's cloak, publicans-and-sinners, soldier's buttons, water boots, water buttercup, water cowslip, water dragon, water goggles, water gowan, yellow gowan

Synonyms

Caltha cornuta

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial Aquatic Bogs
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A rhizomatous, marginal aquatic perennial to 50cm, with rounded, rich green leaves and clusters of deep yellow flowers 4cm in width

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed
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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Caltha are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with simple, usually heart-shaped leaves and cup-shaped yellow or white flowers in early spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp. N. Hemis.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open site in rich boggy soil at the water's edge in full sun. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by division in late summer or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews