Caltha palustris - Care Guide

Marsh marigold, Kingcup

As the common name implies these are marginal aquatic perennials with rhizomatous roots. C. palustris will grow and flower away perfectly well in pots in the nursery and will perform well in any moist or boggy soils. However they are happiest growing near, but not actually in, water. They will grow in boggy areas which flood occasionally for shortish periods or in aquatic planting baskets.

At Caerhays they grew well in a small overflow pond which dried out into a bog in summer until the peacocks took a liking to their dark green kidney shaped leaves. In March and April these plants produce 12in flowering stems with up to five waxy-yellow flower heads.

C. palustris rhizomes can be divided in late summer or early spring. The seed can be collected as soon as ripe and sown in damp compost in the shade.

For those with a damp or boggy area in their gardens these are invaluable plants which are easy to grow.