Description of Petasites albus (White Butterbur)

Petasites albus is white butterbur, a moisture-loving plant grown for big leaves and early spring flowers. It’s useful in damp shade and it can cover ground quickly once established.

Appearance

It often flowers before the leaves fully appear, producing pale creamy-white flower spikes in early spring. After that, large rounded leaves expand and form a dense clump. It can spread by rhizomes if it likes the site.

Care Guide

It likes cool, damp soil. It’s not a plant for dry borders.

• Sun: Part shade to shade is ideal.
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil.
• Water: Keep the soil consistently damp.
• Control: Use a barrier or container if you need to limit spread.
• Cut back: Remove old leaves as they tatty, and tidy down in late autumn.

If you want it looking tidy near paths, remove damaged leaves as needed through summer.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This works in bog gardens on the shadier side, especially where you want coverage under taller plants. It also helps suppress weeds by shading the ground.

Give it space or contain it. In small bog gardens, a sunk tub makes it easier to enjoy without it running.

FAQ