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Name: Leopard’s bane
The common name leopard’s bane can be confusing as this name has been applied to other plants, but it was widely known in old-time cottage gardens, its yellow daisies providing a good splash of yellow after the daffodils fade.
Botanical name: Doronicum
Doronicum is native to Europe and Asia, where it appears in mountain woodland and scrub areas. Being a woodland plant, it needs to flower early and make its growth before the tree canopy gets too oppressive. This makes it a good plant for use in awkward areas that are in light shade, filling them up in spring.
The generic name doronicum comes from the Persian ‘darunak’. There are several species, some quite short that grow to about 40cm, while others grow to about 90cm. The flowers are carried on branching stems with heart-shaped leaves partway up the stems and a bed of leaves at soil level. ‘Miss Mason’ is a popular short variety that holds its flowers nicely clear of the foliage, giving them an airy look. Doronicum orientale ‘Little Leo’ is another good short variety, reaching about 30 to 40 cm, which means that it fits in with other smaller spring flowers. The specific name orientale means from the Orient, the East.
The taller Doronicum pardalianches also holds its flowers well and the stems are long enough for cutting for indoor use. Indeed, any of the doronicums make good cut flowers. There is a double-flowered form called ‘Fruhlingspracht’, which means ‘spring beauty’ and it is sometimes sold under that name, and this one is not unlike a large dandelion.
Family:Doronicum is part of the Aster family, the Asteraceae also often known as the Compositae, because of its composite flowers. This family is extremely common and its flower shape is very distinctive.
Garden value
The first flowers open on doronicum during March and the last will not appear for about two months. It usually appears earlier in garden centres because plants are brought on in polytunnels. This relatively long flowering period is just one of the desirable attributes of this plant. Its main charm is its bright and breezy yellow daisy flowers. These can be eight centimetres across depending on the variety.
Although daisy-type flowers are very plentiful in summer and autumn, they are not very common in spring. There are dandelions, of course, but the flowers of doronicum are different with a single row of petals around the rim of the flower and a large yellow button in the centres.
Growing doronicum
Doronicum is easy to grow. It is at its best as a background filler plant, setting off other plants that have more style. It can be used in flower borders, or around shrubs and trees as it will tolerate a fair degree of shade. Doronicum looks well with any bronze-leaved plants, such as sedges, phormium, purple honesty and the bright yellow-green of euphorbias. It likes to spread a little, especially the larger kinds and it is best to give it space where spreading is not a bad thing. It likes moist fertile soil that drains well and does not become waterlogged in winter.
Sowing vegetable seeds
Apart from a small number of perennial vegetables, such as globe artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb and seakale, most other vegetables are grown for just a few months, and in some cases, as little as a few weeks. Vegetables can be divided into those sown directly where they will mature and those sown indoors in a greenhouse, cold frame or even a windowsill indoors. The ones sown indoors are typically prone to frost damage if planted out before the end of May, or at most a fortnight earlier in milder parts of the country. These vegetable crops can be sown in the first half of April and planted out as indicated. Seeds are sown and plants are planted.
Good timing is the secret of successful vegetable growing. Do not take on too much in the first year or two, when a great deal of knowledge, can be achieved by observation. As memory is not always reliable, it is a good idea to keep a simple diary listing the kinds of vegetables grown, the varieties, when sown, when harvested for use, and any other notes, such as disease or pest attack, and the quality of flavour of the varieties used. Make a note on the same day as the seeds are sown because it is easy to forget to do so. Prepare well by purchasing tools and seeds in advance of when needed. If you are a complete beginner, curb your enthusiasm!
It is only the start of March and there is a good six weeks in which to sow most vegetables. If not already started, digging of the vegetable ground can commence using a spade or digging fork, if the ground is a bit stony. Do not be in a rush to dig the ground because this can cause compaction of the soil. At the same time, do not delay unnecessarily as it can result in chasing the calendar all summer.
Trees, shrubs and roses
Finish planting any bare-root or root-balled deciduous trees in shelter belts or hedges within the next month — aim to get it done before the middle of March. There is still plenty of time still with evergreens. Prune bush roses and repeat-flowering climbers.
Fruit, vegetables and herbs
Sow early vegetables such as early peas, broad beans, and onions. Tidy up old rhubarb crowns. Sow seeds in a tunnel or glasshouse for early crops. New fruit trees should be planted as soon as possible. Pruning of apple and pear trees should be completed. Lawn
Quite a lot of cold weather has seen slow growth of grass, but begin lawn mowing, if not already done, though not if the ground is wet. There is heavy moss growth. The lawn edges can be straightened and humps and hollows sorted out.
Greenhouse and house plants
To restart strong growth, most greenhouse plants in pots will benefit from an increase in watering and also begin feeding. Sow seeds of tomatoes for greenhouse growing, also peppers and chillies. Check for signs of greenflies on house plants.
Flowers
Perennial flowers are showing good growth in many cases and lifting and dividing of herbaceous flowers can resume. Move perennial flowers in gardens on heavy soil. Sow seeds of bedding geraniums, lobelia, busy lizzie and bedding begonias.
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