Doronicum pardalianches

Doronicum pardalianches, more simply called the Heart-leaved Doronicum, is a sturdy perennial plant that populates the undergrowth of a large part of France. It is mostly found in mountainous areas up to 1200 metres (3937 feet) in altitude, but also in Normandy and Pas-de-Calais. Even if some find it invasive, others uninteresting and ordinary, we love this plant! It is soft to the touch with its hairy foliage, its large yellow daisies that bloom regularly, it is never sick and it grows admirably in heavy and humid soils where it forms beautiful colonies. 

Doronicum pardalianches (synonym Doronicum emarginatum) belongs to the large family of Asteraceae. It is a botanical species native to Western Europe, more or less common to rare in the Vosges, Jura, Massif Central, Cévennes, Alps, Pyrénées and Normandy. Depending on the regions, it is called Leopard's Bane, Panther's Leopard, Herb of Panthers or Death to Panthers. The above-ground vegetation, deciduous, emerges from the ground in spring and dries up in late autumn. The plant, entirely covered with fine hairs and glands, has a tuberous rhizome emitting long slender stolons that allow it to spread. It forms an upright clump composed of basal leaves and leafy stems measuring up to 80cm (32in) in height when in flower. The branched stems bear leaves arranged alternately. The leaves located at the base of the stems have long petioles, their lamina is cordate or rounded in shape, dentate or not. Those on the stems have 2 embracing auricles at the base. Their colour is a dark olive green. Flowering takes place between April and June. At the tip of the stems appear 2 to 6 flowers organized in heads measuring 4 to 6cm (2in) in diameter, bright yellow in colour, resembling small daisies.  These heads consist of a beautiful lemon yellow heart-shaped button, surrounded by a row of thin, long florets in the same tone.

To welcome spring in cool and slightly shaded areas of the garden, adopt the Heart-leaved Doronicum. In groups, this perennial will attract attention to somewhat forgotten spaces, towards the back of the garden or under large trees. Mixed with some Bugbanes, Japanese Anemones, Wood Hyacinths, and Goat's Beards (Aruncus), it will create a slightly wild composition that will appeal to bees.