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Arctic Butterbur

Petasites frigidus var. palmatus

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full shade

Water

regular

Soil

moist, well-draining soil

Size

1–3ft tall , 2–4ft wide

Bloom

Apr-Jun

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Edible

Leaves eaten cooked; traditionally used as food by Indigenous peoples

Native Range

High elevation wet meadows and springs of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range from Kern County to Modoc County, 6000-10000 ft elevation, extending to Oregon and Washington.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Arctic Butterbur in part shade to full shade - it thrives in the deep shade of mixed evergreen forests and won't tolerate hot sun in the Bay Area. Choose a spot with moist, well-draining soil, ideally near a water source or in a naturally damp area of your garden. Space plants to accommodate their mature spread, as they'll develop large 15-20 inch leaves rising directly from underground rootstocks. Plant in early spring before the growing season begins.

After Planting

Water regularly through your first growing season to keep soil consistently moist, as this plant naturally grows in stream banks and seeping ground. After establishment, Arctic Butterbur is deciduous and will die back in winter, disappearing entirely - this is normal and not a sign of failure. The plant supports Old World Swallowtail butterflies and is deer resistant, so you can plant with confidence. The biggest mistake is planting in too much sun or allowing soil to dry out; this is a shade-loving plant that demands moisture year-round.

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