Doronicum: Leopard's bane grows naturally in UK woods, but growers have mixed feelings over its merits

摘要

Daisy-like flowers mark out Doronicum, or leopard's bane, as a genus of the Asteraceae family, and the abundance of flowers produced in early spring rivals that of many summer-flowering chrysanthemums. Each of the 11 species and their cultivars bear yellow blooms atop fresh, heart-shaped leaves, Larger varieties reach up to 1m in spread and 90cm tall. They can be used as the first splash of colour in herbaceous borders, while smaller varieties, such as Doronicum orientate 'Dwarf Pygmy', make excellent companions to spring bulbs.