Doronicum plantagineum Excelsum

Doronicum plantagineum or Plantain-leaved Doronicum is a sturdy and hardy perennial. Its flowering begins in March-April and attracts the first pollinators, bringing life to the garden just before summer. Its long, slender, and bright yellow florets are very graceful and react to the slightest breeze. They add a very natural touch to flowerbeds.

The Plantain-leaved Doronicum forms an upright clump that can reach up to 70cm (28in) tall, but with a rather loose and flexible habit, which tends to spread out a bit. It is a herbaceous perennial with stoloniferous growth, having a base covered with deciduous leaves of a slightly tender, bright green colour. These leaves are heart-shaped, slightly dentate, and quite large (5-6cm (2in)). On the long pubescent stems, a few sessile, lanceolate, and smaller leaves are alternately arranged. At the top, the cup-shaped heads clearly illuminate the whole plant. They consist of a beautiful lemon yellow heart in the form of a small button, surrounded by a row of thin and long florets of the same shade.

'Excelsum' thrives in full sun and tolerates partial shade. It can grow in any type of soil, preferably moist but not waterlogged, and rather rich. By removing faded flowers from the beginning of summer, you will help strengthen its stump. However, it does not require any particular monitoring and is therefore suitable for low-maintenance gardens and busy gardeners.

To welcome spring with joy, adopt 'Excelsum'. In groups, it will draw attention to slightly forgotten areas, thus attracting visitors to the back of the garden. Mixed with some Daffodils, Bluebells, Primroses, and Icelandic Poppies, it will create a slightly wild composition that will please bees.