Jessie Keith
Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Petasites japonicus 'Purpureus'
Plant Common Name
Giant Butterbur, Japanese Butterbur, Purple Butterbur
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Producing alien-like, short flower stems in spring before the attractive, large purplish green leaves appear, purple butterbur is an exquisite oddity for use in water gardens and very moist woodland glens. An herbaceous perennial that aggressively spreads into large clumps via underground stems (rhizomes), this native to streamsides in China, Korea and Japan is in the daisy family.
In very late winter and early spring, short stems emerge from the soil and reveal a rounded cluster of creamy ivory flowers in smaller clustered tufts. Each individual flower is tiny and star-like. This short red flower stem is collared in a circular ring of narrow leaves, these leaves also extend down the stem. The large purple-tinged green leaves emerge in mid-spring. They are robust, rounded kidney-shaped leaves with jagged edges attaining a large size in fertile, wet soils. As summer progresses, the leaves are more dark, dull green but with burgundy-purple veins and stems.
Grow purple butterbur in partial to full shade in any soil that is moist to saturated with water. The rhizomes are aggressive, some choose to plant this perennial in a submersible pot in moist soil or in water gardens to contain its spread. Butterbur's foliage make it outstanding for impact along a lakeside or shady moist woodland garden. More ornately leaved selections are available, including the wavy and white-edged 'Variegatus', and the purplish dark green foliaged 'Purpureus'.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 4
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
-
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Perennial
-
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade, Full Shade
-
Height
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
-
Width
4'-5' / 1.2m - 1.5m
-
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
-
Native To
China, Japan, Korea
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Wet Site
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
-
Habit
Clump-Forming
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Light Yellow, Ivory
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Purple, Burgundy
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Purple
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Purple
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Bold
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
