I have the room to do so and would like to plant some large-leafed plants in various places around my ponds. Do any of you have any experience with any variety of Petasites? I want to know if they are invasive and if they tend to be, how you control them. They sound lovely, like Gunnera, with some having leaves up to 4' across. Any experience with them?
Petasites, anyone?
Petasites grows rampant in native locations when it has conditions it likes. I doubt it is difficult to weed, in damp ground an easy loosening with a shovel, a quick pull and it is gone.
Petasites Japonica seems to do well in dappled shade bog positions... growing to quite a bold size. I can't recall seeing any petasites doing well in full sun positions, I'd guess it is not one that thrives in heat or positions where the ground is likely to dry. Other forms of Petasites I've seen naturalise quite well in water meadows and river banks in England
Petasites is something I'd be curious to try in the Carolinas, the last one I tried may have fizzled out, oops... it seems to be a hit or miss starting that, it does not like too dry, or too wet of a position...
Regards, andy
Hi, My experience with Petasites is that it's very invasive if given a free roam to grow. This is what I have done to eliminate that growing habit.
I have used a 5 gal. containter then lined it with a screen the type used in a screen door the roots are then contained in the container. I then bury the container into the ground. This should work well around a pond area and they do require a lot of water during the summer. You may require a rock or two on top of the container rim to keep it into place, it can become top heavy with it's large leaves. It will become root bound in it's first year so you will need to divide or place into larger container.
I also have used the 19 gal. tubs with rope handles and completly bury the container into the ground. You will need to drill some holes on the bottom of the container for drainage. One plant became root bound in its second year in this large container so that can give you some idea how invasive the roots could become if not contained. The large leaves do give a great focal point to a garden area that is partially shaded.
Some of mine are blooming right now and here is a picture.
I grow petasites (don't know the species, I think Petasites japonica - commonly called Butterbur) in the back of my garden. The leaves are really large and lovely, but the slugs love them. Also it is invasive under the right conditions. The rhizomes can travel quite far and can come up where you least expect them. To contain them they can be grown in a child's swimming pool dug into the ground. Since they love water, you can just poke a few holes in the bottom of the pool and create a bit of a bog type garden for them. This keeps them contained, but won't cure the slug problem! If you are interested I have some rooting in the greenhouse right now and I would be willing to trade for something you have.
This message was edited Mar 6, 2005 3:10 AM
Hi, My Petasites growed in full sun last year and did really well. It is a spreader though.