Skip to content
caltha palustris polypetala giant king cup marginal pond plants mp018
caltha palustris polypetala giant king cup marginal pond plants mp018
caltha palustris polypetala giant king cup marginal pond plants mp018
caltha palustris polypetala giant king cup marginal pond plants mp018

Caltha polypetala (Giant Marsh Marigold)

Bog Plant
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Sold out
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£2.60
£2.60 - £30.55
£2.60
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 polypetala (Giant Marsh Marigold)

Caltha polypetala is giant marsh marigold, also called giant kingcup. It’s a bigger, bolder version of marsh marigold, with larger yellow flowers in spring. It suits bog gardens where you want early colour and a strong clump.

Appearance

It forms rounded green leaves and produces large, buttercup-like yellow flowers in spring. It can reach 40 to 60cm tall, sometimes more in rich wet soil, and it often forms a wide clump over time.

Care Guide

It likes wet soil and cool roots. In dry springs it can flower poorly, so moisture is key.

  • Sun: Sun to part shade.
  • Soil: Rich, wet soil with plenty of organic matter.
  • Water: Keep consistently wet, especially in spring.
  • After flowering: Remove spent stems and old leaves for a tidy clump.
  • Division: Divide in spring or autumn if the clump becomes too large.

In liner bogs, plant it slightly lower so the crown stays damp through spring. That’s when it needs water most.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This is excellent for bog gardens as an early-season feature plant. Place it where you will see it in spring, then let later plants grow up around it as the year goes on.

It also works at pond margins in baskets, as long as the crown is not submerged too deeply.

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.

Rated Excellent