Petasites

What is most intriging about Petasites, also known as Butterbur and Coltsfoot, is it's changeability from one season to the next. The flowers emerge quickly, in spring, a burst of very stout to gawky-looking stalks topped each by a globe of yellow flowers hidden by lime-green bracts. It is these bracts which give the flower heads a pagoda-like appearance. Some have red stems, which are really gorgeous. Some are very downy and grey.

Then these flowers die back making way for huge leaves, whether they are rounded or divided or variegated depends on their species and hybrid. Most are felty underneath, and all are very bold in their texture. They slowly turn yellow and then die back cleanly in fall, leaving only very strong roots and stems and buds until they start again in spring.

Petasites are hardy from zones 4 to 9. They will grow in full sun, part shade or full shade, and their reputation of needing moist soil may not be true in shaded situations. Some gardeners say that cool soil is what they really need, and I have to agree with this, because I have seen the large leaves of Petasites flagging in very wet, but hot, situations.

If you plant a Petasites, you will have to allow alot of room, or be faithful with constant division. Most species and varieties will spread to a width of 5 feet within a few years.

Divide Petasites in early spring, after they flower, but before they leaf out fully.

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