Doronicum orientale
Caucasian leopard's bane
Common names: Leopard's bane, Caucasian doronicum
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Pot size
- from 10 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Apr–May
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −25 °C
- Water need
- Medium
Photo: Włodzimierz Wysocki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Caucasian leopard's bane, botanically Doronicum orientale, is among the first yellow bloomers in the perennial bed. From April, often until the end of May, goldenyellow, daisy-like flowers about 5 cm across open on slender stems. Beneath them the plant forms a loose clump of fresh green, heart-shaped leaves and grows 30 to 50 cm tall. It originally comes from southeastern Europe and western Asia. In the garden it suits the edges of woodland, areas under light shrubs and partly shaded perennial beds, where it provides early nectar for bees and other insects. Good to know: in heat and drought it often dies back in summer, the foliage yellows and disappears. For this reason, plant it between perennials that fill the gap later, such as cranesbill, lady's mantle or hostas.
Care instructions
Plant the Caucasian leopard's bane in spring or September in a partly shaded spot, sheltered from harsh midday sun, for example under light deciduous trees. The soil should be humus-rich, moist and well drained. Water thoroughly during flowering and in dry summers, otherwise the foliage dies back early. It does not tolerate wet feet in winter, so on heavy soil mix in sand and compost. Cut spent flower stems down to ground level once they become unsightly. If the foliage yellows in summer, cut it back too to keep the bed tidy. Divide the clump every three to four years, which maintains its flowering vigour. Space plants about 35 cm from their neighbours.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringApr–May
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, well-drained, loamy, nutrient-rich
The Caucasian leopard's bane likes humus-rich, fresh and free-draining soil, preferably loamy and nutrient-rich, as forms under open deciduous trees. The pH may be slightly acidic to neutral. In spring and during flowering it needs even moisture. It does not tolerate waterlogging; especially in winter the rootstock then rots. On heavy soil you mix in sand and compost, on very light sandy soil plenty of humus.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar
The Caucasian leopard's bane shoots vigorously in spring and welcomes a head start. In early spring, spread a layer of mature compost around the clump and rake it in lightly. On very poor soil you can work in a little horn shavings or well-rotted manure once more after flowering. In a pot, give liquid fertiliser for flowering plants every few weeks during flowering.
Overwintering
The Caucasian leopard's bane is hardy and needs no protection from frost in Central Europe. Wet is more dangerous than cold: if the rootstock sits in water in winter, it rots. On heavy soil, therefore, ensure good drainage. The foliage dies back in summer or at the latest in autumn; you clear away dead leaves in late winter. In a pot, place the pot against a sheltered house wall and make sure it does not stand in water.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
The best way to propagate Caucasian leopard's bane is by division. Via short underground runners it slowly grows into a broad clump. Directly after flowering in June or in September you dig it up, divide it with the spade into pieces with several shoots and replant them at once in the new spot. Water the pieces in well and keep the soil evenly moist for a few weeks. Dividing every three to four years makes sense anyway, because the clump thins out in the middle and flowers less.
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Caucasian leopard's bane yourself
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