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caltha palustris alba white marigold marginal pond plants mp015
caltha palustris alba white marigold marginal pond plants mp015
caltha palustris alba white marigold marginal pond plants mp015
caltha palustris alba white marigold marginal pond plants mp015

Caltha palustris var. alba (White Marsh Marigold)

Bog Plant
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£2.60 - £55.58
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Package Quantity: 1
Size: 7cm Bareroot
Size Information

You can choose plants in various pot sizes. Non-potted plants arrive bare root for you to pot in the specified pot size.

Seasonal Information

Depending on the time of year, pond plants may be supplied fully-leaved, with flowers, or with foliage trimmed back.

Delivery Information

This plant is grown in the UK and sent directly from our tried, tested and trusted plant partner. Delivery price calculated at checkout.

Description of Caltha palustris var. alba (White Marsh Marigold)

Caltha palustris var. alba is the white form of marsh marigold. You may see it sold as Caltha palustris 'Alba'. It is a small plant that flowers early, so it earns its keep when most pond-edge plants are still slow.

Appearance

Caltha palustris var. alba makes a low mound of rounded, glossy leaves. New growth looks fresh and bright in late winter. Flowers open on short stems above the foliage. The blooms are simple and open, with clean white petals and a yellow centre. In the UK you can see flowers from March into April, and it can carry on longer in a cool spring. Mature height is usually 20 to 30cm, with a similar spread. After flowering, the leaves bulk up and form a tidy patch of green that fills a gap at the pond edge.

It pairs well with forget-me-nots, Japanese primroses, and low ferns. It also looks good at the front of taller marginals because it does not hide other plants.

Care Guide

Grow Caltha palustris var. alba in rich soil that stays wet. It thrives where water drains slowly or where the soil is kept damp by a pond liner. Sun gives the best flowering, but light shade is fine, especially near shrubs or a hedge. The main job is keeping the roots wet through spring and early summer.

  • Planting spot: Bog garden, pond margin, or a container sat in a shallow tray of water.
  • Water: Do not let it dry out. In a raised bog, water little and often in warm spells.
  • Feeding: A mulch of compost in late winter supports strong growth. You can add a small handful of slow-release feed in spring if the soil is poor.
  • After flowering: Remove tired stems if you want a tidier look. Leave foliage to feed the plant.
  • Division: Lift and split every few years in early autumn or early spring if the clump gets crowded.

Suitability for Bog Garden

Caltha palustris var. alba is made for bog gardens. It likes wet feet and it copes with cool, heavy soil. It also suits wildlife ponds because it provides early cover and early nectar when insects first start moving. Plant it where you can see it from the house, as it is one of the first pond-edge plants to look alive each year. Keep it out of the driest rim of a bog planter, and it will repay you for years.

FAQs

What are marginal pond plants?

Marginal pond plants grow around the shallow edges of ponds, with their roots and crowns in or close to the water while their leaves and flowers grow above the surface. They are ideal for planting on pond shelves and help soften the transition between the pond and surrounding garden.

How deep should marginal pond plants be planted?

The correct planting depth varies between species. Some marginals prefer their crowns only just below the water surface, while others tolerate deeper water. Always check the recommended planting depth for the individual plant rather than placing all marginal plants at the same depth.

Can marginal pond plants grow in a wildlife pond?

Yes. Marginal plants are particularly valuable in wildlife ponds because their foliage provides cover around the pond edge and their stems can give emerging aquatic insects a route out of the water. Flowering species can also provide food for bees, hoverflies and other pollinators.

Do marginal pond plants need aquatic baskets?

Marginal plants are commonly grown in aquatic baskets, especially in lined ponds. Baskets make plants easier to position, lift and divide and can help contain vigorous roots. They should normally be filled with suitable aquatic compost or heavy loam rather than ordinary multipurpose compost.

When should I cut back marginal pond plants?

Dead or dying foliage can be removed as plants die back, particularly in autumn, to reduce the amount of decaying material entering the pond. Vigorous marginal plants can also be thinned or divided when they become overcrowded.

What are the best pond plants for a wildlife pond?

The best wildlife pond plants provide a mixture of underwater cover, surface shade, flowering habitat and places for aquatic insects to emerge. A balanced pond can include oxygenating plants, marginal plants and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Native species are particularly useful for supporting UK pond wildlife.

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