Petasites japonicus
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Common Name: butterbur
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Native Range: Korea, China, Japan
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: White, Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellowish-white
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Tolerates: Wet Soil, Dense Shade
Uses: Vegetable, Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Water Plant, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in consistently moist to wet soils in part shade to full shade. If grown in full sun, leaves will typically wilt during hot days in somewhat the same manner as with the ligularias. Best grown at the shoreline of large natural ponds, on the banks of streams or in bogs. Tolerates a wide range of soils as long as consistent moisture is present. Large containers sunk in the mud may be used if control of rhizomatous spread is desired. Grow in containers for water gardens or smaller ponds.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Butterbur, fuki or sweet coltsfoot is a rhizomatous perennial that is noted for its huge basal leaves that form dense spreading clumps of foliage to 3’ tall and 5’ wide. It is native to Korea, China and Japan where it is typically found growing on wet streambanks in woodland areas. Long-stalked, lightly toothed, kidney-shaped, green leaves (to 16-32” wide) are tomentose beneath. Fragrant, yellowish-white, daisy-like flowers in dense corymbs appear in spring before the leaves emerge on rigid scapes to 6” tall. Scapes elongate after bloom. Leaf stalks (petioles) are eaten as a vegetable (fuki) in Japan. Genus name comes from the Greek word petasos meaning wide-brimmed hat, in reference to the large spreading leaves. The leaves were reportedly once used to wrap butter in hot weather, hence the common name.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs. Spreads aggressively by rhizomes if not grown in containers or otherwise restrained by barriers.

Garden Uses

Banks of ponds, streams or water gardens. Bogs. Shady corner of the border or woodland garden as long as the soil moisture requirements can be met.

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