wetland wildflower

White marsh marigold

Caltha leptosepala

Also known as White Marsh-marigold, Elks-lip

Native to the Rockies, the Southwest, and the Pacific Coast and southern Canada

Alaska, southern in mountains to New Mexico, Arizona and eastern Oregon

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Wet Moisture preference
Zones 2–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom May–Aug Flowering time
Height up to 1 ft to 0.3 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A wetland wildflower for partial shade and wet soil. At up to 1 ft, it tucks into rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 2–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

Pollinators & wildlife

Butterflies Common Alpine also Titania's Fritillary, Bog Fritillary

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Rockies, the Southwest, and the Pacific Coast and southern CanadaUnited States (10): AK, AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY. Canada (1): AB. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Alaska, southern in mountains to New Mexico, Arizona and eastern OregonThe 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 2–9 · Canadian 0–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist to wet soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: 6.6–8.2The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Soil quality: MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Water use: HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Salinity tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Growth & form

Height: up to 1 ft (to 0.3 m)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~1 ft (0.2 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Shape: Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
Root depth: 8+ in (20+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: May–AugWhen it flowers.
Flower color: WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.

Propagation & seed

Cold stratification: Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
Propagation: SeedHow to start new plants.
Seed: ~0.4 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
Seed spread rate: SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
Seedling vigor: LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
Vegetative spread: NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.