Doronicum or ‘Leopards Bane’
Doronicum is known as Leopards Bane, as doronicum flowers in early spring and has bright yellow flowers it is a welcome addition to the border. Grown mainly for the masses of yellow flowers that appear in spring, the real value of the plant is that it will still flower strongly in reasonably shady positions in the garden.
This is a rhizomatous perennial that will spread to form a good clump over time.
Care
Best in a humus rich soil with some moisture, although well drained.
- Position – Part shade
- Soil – Humus rich well drained and fertile.
- Height – From .5m to nearly 1m depending on variety.
- Spread – Clump forming to around 60 – 80 cm
- Flowers – Golden yellow daisy like.
- Flowering time – Spring to summer.
- Foliage – Mid to deep green heart shaped.
- Frost tolerance – Light frosts only.
- Drought tolerance – Medium when grown in afternoon shade.
Doronicum Varieties.
A few species are available including:
- D. orientale – Best described as a clump forming perennial withheart shaped leaves. It will reach around .5m in height and form a clump around .6m across over time. Yellow daisy like flowers rise above the foliage.
- D. magnificum – Very similar to above, perhaps a little taller in height.
- The most widely grown might well be the taller growing D. plantagineum excelsum with large daisy like flowers on tall stems reaching to almost 1m. However this species can be a little weedy.
Doronicum pardalianches is also worth seeking.
You could try Gentiana Nursery in Olinda Victoria for this one