Doronicum orientale

Sunset

Doronicum orientale ‘Little Leo’, photo courtesy of Richard Shiell

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Zones A2, A3, 1-7, 14-17

Partial

Moderate

Leopard's Bane

Perennials, Flowers

DORONICUM

Summer is the season for most yellow daisies, but these European natives bear a profusion of showy daisylike flowers in early to midspring. The blossoms are carried on long, slender, branching stems that rise from low, spreading, dense clumps of tooth-edged dark green leaves that are rounded to heart-shaped at base. They are good cut flowers.

Mark location of plants beforethey die back, and providesome moisture during dormancy. Young plants bloom best. Divide clumps every 2 or 3 years in early autumn. Tolerate full sun in cool-summer climates; light, dappled, or partial shade otherwise.

Doronicum orientale

Flower heads to 2 in. wide, borne singly on 1–1 1/2-ft. stems above a footwide foliage clump. Usually dies back in summer. ‘Magnificum’ and ‘Finesse’ are a little taller, with bigger blossoms. ‘Little Leo’ is compact, growing just 12–15 in. high and wide.