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Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing

Soil

Boggy / Clay / Heavy / Moist

Kingcups (or marsh marigolds), Caltha palustris, grow wild alongside streams and in shallow water around ponds, forming loose clumps of kidney-shaped leaves, each up to 8-10cm across. In late spring and early summer, large, shiny golden flowers like giant, waxy buttercups appear. These are attractive to a wide range of pollinators. It makes a striking plant for the edge of a large garden pond. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Caltha palustris in planting baskets in shallow water round the edge of a pond. It also makes a good bog garden plant, and grows well in borders that become waterlogged in winter.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Divideyesyes

Caltha and wildlife

Caltha is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Caltha poisonous?

Caltha has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Caltha palustris
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