Doronicum

( doh - RON - ick - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly referred to as Leopard's Bane, this genus of perennial flowering plants need partial shade and regular water. Native to Europe, these plants bloom profusely in springtime. Flowers rise above a clump of foliage, and are great as cut flowers for arrangements. 

Doronicum Species and Varietals

The genus Doronicum is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 38 species. Leopard's Bane grows best in zones A2, A3, 1-7 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Doronicum x excelsum (Doronicum plantigenium) (Plantain Leopard's Bane)
This hybrid species is great for wild gardens, with stems reaching 2.5 to 4 feet tall above a 2-foot wide clump of foliage. Each flower stem produces a few flowers. These plants will go dormant in summertime.

Doronicum grandiflorum
Native to Europe, this species of Leopard's Bane produces yellow flowers with yellow-orange centers and reaches between 4 and 16 inches tall at maturity. Flowers bloom from July through August. 

Doronicum orientale (Doronicum caucasicum)
This plant has single-flowered stems that reach 1.5 feet tall above a foot-wide foliage clump. Dies back in summertime in most areas. Varieties include 'Magnificum', 'Finesse' (both a little taller than the species and with bigger blossoms), and 'Little Leo' (a compact grower to 12-15 inches tall and just as wide).

Doronicum pardalianches (Leopard's-Bane)
This plant produces upright stems topped with light yellow daisy-form flowers with yellow-orange centers. 

Doronicum plantagineum (Plantain-Leaved Leopard's Bane, Plantain False Leopard's Bane)
This species is native to southeastern Europe, including Greece, Italy, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. These plants have also naturalized in the state of Oregon. Plants reach about 2 feet tall when mature, and produce yellow daisy-form flowers.

Caring for Doronicum

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Doronicum
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 292, Doronicum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​