wetland wildflower
Golden Club
Orontium aquaticum
Also known as Goldenclub, Neverwet
1 of 3Native to much of the USA
Massachusetts to Kentucky, south to Florida and Louisiana, occasional in southeast Texas; mostly on the Coastal Plain
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Wet Moisture preference
- Zones 5–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Feb–May Flowering time
- Height up to 18 in to 46 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for partial shade and wet soil. Its yellow flowers peak in March. At up to 18 in, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Golden Club's yellow flowers bloom February to May, peaking in March. It's an early-spring display.
Golden Club blooms yellowFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (21): AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Massachusetts to Kentucky, south to Florida and Louisiana, occasional in southeast Texas; mostly on the Coastal PlainThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- WetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–10 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Acid, loamy soil under shallow, moving waterThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- LowRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 18 in (to 46 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Feb–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Apr–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.