These unusual spreading ground covers have fantastic foliage and funky-looking blooms
I ’m a sucker for anything that see tropical in the garden . The large leave of absence and bluff foliage of banana ( Musaspp . and cvs . , zone 5–11 ) , alocasias ( Alocasiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 10–11 ) , and colocasias ( Colocasiaspp . and cvs . , zone 8–11 ) are delicious , but we can only love them for a month or two in the Northeast unless we grow them in container that are protect through our cold wintertime . Northeastern gardeners dream of growing tropical - looking flora , but few can handle our harsh conditions conditions . One of those few is butterburs ( Petasitesspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) .
Seriously large foliage
There are a handful of species of butterbur usable from various mail - parliamentary law sources , include the common European butterbur ( Petasites hybridus , Zones 4–8 ) and giant butterbur ( P. japonicusvar.giganteus , geographical zone 4–8 ) . European butterbur is less showy , in my view , as it has foliage only 12 to 18 inches in diam , while a giant butterbur ’s leave of absence can be an entire 3 feet in diameter . European Petasites vulgaris grow purple flower in winter , but its bed covering is a bite more strong-growing than that of giant butterbur . Giant Petasites hybridus is more telling and the true goliath of the inner circle . You may be asking yourself , “ aside from large foliage , why should I add butterbur to my garden ? ” There are a couple of additional reasons .
The first perennial to bloom
Butterbur is an former bloomer in the Northeast , even if there is snow on the ground . The inflorescence cobs arise tight to the ground , as early as previous January in modest wintertime but later on in March if the snow cover is thick . They often bring forth a bit of oestrus and thus melt a little ring around each cob . These other flowers might be foreign looking on their short stalks , but in midwinter not even the wood anemone ( Galanthusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are in bloom yet , so the sight is welcome . I should add that the bees sleep with it , and butterbur flowers are a valuable food for many other pollinator .
Easy care and low maintenance
Because it ’s a runner plant , butterbur is easy to get . The plant demands little by from rich dirt and some moisture ( although it does n’t wish wet feet ) . ordinary garden ground is adequate as long as it dumbfound a bit of afternoon tad and some irrigation during ironical weather . summertime hailstorms are its curse . Such weather can manifestly shred the elephantine umbrella - like leafage in just seconds , but almost any plant in the Northeast must contend with that endangerment .
Don’t worry too much about spreading
Related to the more vernacular yet smaller ( and undeniably more invasive ) coltsfoot herbaceous plant ( Tussilago farfara , Zones 4–9 ) , all butterbur species will run along the terra firma . While butterbur can sometimes be listed as an encroaching works , in our colder gardens in the Northeast its challenging spread is often welcome for those with space . Its large leaf will plain need way . Petasites vulgaris are plants for dedicated nurseryman , as they demand responsible for positioning and some yearly control to temper their vim . Yet unlike with other ambitious spreader — such as winkle ( Vincaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) or bamboo ( Arundinaria gigantea , Zones 5–9 ) , controlling their cattle ranch is easygoing : Just yank on emerging fresh maturation by hand in spring , which will remove the entire tuberous portion of a new industrial plant easily . Butterburs are overweight and easy to destroy where you do n’t want them .
The only actual downside to butterbur that I can think of is a small menstruation of winter dormancy in which the works give out , thus leaving a noticeable void . Then again , I should remind you that this flora will be the first plant flowering in your garden , and that certainly has its merits .
— Matt Mattus is the author of two books : dominate the Art of Flower GardeningandMastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening . He garden in Worcester , Massachusetts .
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchase through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .
Pruning Simplified : A gradation - by - footstep Guide to 50 Popular Trees and bush
The Nature of Oaks : The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
Get our up-to-the-minute tip , how - to article , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
sign you up …
Related Articles
Perennials With Fall Flowers for the Northeast
Growing Artichokes in the Northeast
Add Tropical Flair to Your Landscape With ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’ Colocasia
Unique Plants for Early Spring Containers in the Northeast
Join Fine Gardening for a liberal engaging live webinar boast Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals expert handler …
When I spotted a particular moxie dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I have sex I was in trouble . With a delicious color formula …
When we only prioritize plants we need over works our landscape painting needs , each season is filled with a never - end listing of chores : pruning , pinching , tearing , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you move into the backyard of garden architect Jeff Epping — not because you ’re potential to actuate on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access member get more
Sign up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest period of the appendage - only contentedness library .
Start Free Trial
Get terminated web site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print magazine .
Start your FREE tryout
Already a member?access
Plant your butterburs next to vining plants and understory trees to create a tropical jungle atmosphere.Photo: Matt Mattus
Giant butterbur, an East Asian native, has leaves that can reach up to 3 feet wide.Photo: Matt Mattus
Giant butterbur flowers look like little brains emerging from a rosette of lily leaves. The plants have a lot of transforming to do between winter and summer.Photo: Matt Mattus
Plant your butterburs where they’ll get afternoon shade.Photo: Matt Mattus
Don’t attempt to beat back butterbur in the middle of summer (left); pull out immature foliage in winter or spring (right).Photos: Matt Mattus
