Petasites hybridus (Butterbur)

Other names: Bog rhubarb, Devil's hat, Pestilence wart, Batter dock, Butter dock, Cleats, Cleets, Flea dock, Gallon, Oxwort, Pestilence wort, Poison rhubarb, Son-before-the-father, Umbrella leaf, Water docken

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Species

P. hybridus is a vigorous, clump-forming, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial with rounded to kidney-shaped, veined, mid-green leaves and, in spring, erect stems bearing racemes of clustered, pink flowers before the leaves emerge.

Season of interest

Flower
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Flower
Foliage
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Foliage

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Height and spread Metric \| Imperial
Size	Max height	Max spread	To maturity
1 m	3 m	2-5 years
3 ft	9 ft	2-5 years

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Size

Max height

Max spread

To maturity

1 m

3 m

2-5 years

3 ft

9 ft

2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Clay
Loamy

Soil drainage

Moisture-retentive

Soil pH

Acid
Neutral

Conditions

Sunlight

Partial Shade
Full Shade

Aspect

East
West
North

Exposure

Exposed
Sheltered

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Plant details

Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in consistently moist, humus-rich soil in full or partial shade. Does not tolerate stagnant soil. Tolerates sun. Highly invasive and the large leaves prevent other plants from growing nearby.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Waterside, Woodland, Naturalised in turf, Bees (attract & feed bees)

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

Native to

Europe, Great Britain, Iran

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning and propagation

Pruning

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Propagation

Male and female plants must be grown together if seed is desired. Division can happen at any time of year. Sow seed as soon as ripe or in spring.

Pests and diseases

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Monthly care advice

Divide and replant clumps in autumn or early spring

Water regularly through dry periods

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Dig a physical barrier to prevent weed spead

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (5)

Petasites

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Petasites japonicus Sweet coltsfoot

Petasites hybridus Butterbur

Petasites paradoxus Alpine butterbur

Petasites fragrans Winter heliotrope

Petasites hybridus subsp. hybridus Butterbur

This plant likes:	Garden project Loading... Selected garden	Results -% matchFor selected garden
Soil type Sandy Loamy		Plant match details will appear here
Soil drainage Moist well-drained Well-drained		Plant match details will appear here
Soil pH Neutral Alkaline Acid		Plant match details will appear here
Sunlight Full sun Partial shade		Plant match details will appear here
Aspect North facing South facing East facing West facing		Plant match details will appear here
Exposure Sheltered		Plant match details will appear here

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Petasites hybridus (Butterbur)

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Species

Season of interest

Flower

Foliage

Height and spread

Height and spread

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Soil drainage

Soil pH

Conditions

Sunlight

Aspect

Exposure

Plant details

Additional plant details

Cultivation

Suggested uses

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

Foliage

Habit

Native to

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Toxicity

Plant care

Pruning and propagation

Pruning

Propagation methods

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Pests

Diseases

Monthly care advice

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (5)

Plants in this Genus (5)

Companion plants (0)

Companion plants (0)

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