Giant Marsh Marigold (Caltha polypetala)

Giant Marsh Marigold (Caltha polypetala)

Giant Marsh Marigold is very similar to the regular marsh marigold, being one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, long before most marginals wake up. Bright yellow flowers with dark green glossy foliage welcomes water gardeners to a new pond season. This plant does well in full sun in cooler climates, or in partial to full shade in warmer climates. In cool climates it will grow spring through fall and possibly re-bloom during the season. In warmer areas it may wilt back when the summer is hot, but will begin growing again with the cooler weather in Autumn. It may be difficult to grow to grow giant or regular marsh marigolds in hot areas, whether in the humid Southeast or the dry Southwest U.S.--in these climates, they are likely to perform best in shade and the running water of a streambed.

All marsh marigolds may suffer in hot climates. especially in low humidity, but giant marsh marigolds are significantly more resistant to heat than regular marsh marigolds. In addition, giant marsh marigolds may grow significantly larger than regular marsh marigolds in shade or partial shade, and giant marsh marigolds are more likely to rebloom in Fall as the weather cools. We strongly recommend giant marsh marigold for warmer climates!

Some experts consider giant marsh marigold to be a subspecies of regular marsh marigold; either way, it is a great alternative!

Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Planting Container: We recommend a 7.5" x 5" fabric pot to grow a regular sized plant, and a 10" x 6" fabric pot to grow a large sized plant. Click on any fabric pot link to read about why fabric pots work better than hard plastic pots!
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade to shade; avoid full sun in hot, dry climates
Height: 6-12", up to 18-24" in partial shade - Spread: 18-24"
Water Depth: Moist Soil or water to 2" deep (Maximum water depth is for mature plants)

FERTILIZING: For best health and growth, we recommend fertilizing waterlilies (unless using the plants in a plant filtration system!). Use Pondtabbs 20 count, 60 count, or 300 count for fast release, or Aquascape 6 count or 12 count capsules for slow release (once a year) fertilizing. Aquascape is preferred for low maintenance, but Pondtabbs are useful in Spring when Aquascape is slow to start in low temperatures. Pondtabbs are also useful for a quick extra nutrient push for extra bloom, and for mid-summer fertilizing of a new plant (we don't recommend using slow release fertilizer in mid-summer or later in cold climates, as plants should run out of fertilizer at the end of the year to encourage dormancy in cold climates).

Plants are shipped bare root or in starter pots, and will require planting upon arrival. For in depth planting and care instructions visit our Planting and Care Instructions for Shallow Water and Bog Plants.

For information on using plants for pond filtration, please read our blog on this topic!