Doronicum orientale
leopard’s bane
compoSitae
Yellow daisylike flowers; heart-shaped
toothed leaves
12–24 in. high; 15 in. wide
Sun–part shade
Blooms April–May
Zones 4–7
pruning Shear doronicum after
blooms fade to prevent unwanted
seedlings. Plants will usually go
dormant shortly thereafter; allow
foliage to die down and then cut stems
to the ground if they’re unsightly.
Leaves may reappear in fall. The
flowers can be harvested for
long-lasting additions to spring
arrangements.
other maintenance Leopard’s
bane is at its finest in cool climates.
Where summers are hot and humid, it
goes dormant after flowering, and
where summers are very hot and
humid, this plant not only goes
dormant but often fails to return and is
best treated as a cool-season annual.
Afternoon shade and ample water will
help keep foliage looking fresh and
delay dormancy. If dormancy is
unavoidable, interplant leopard’s bane
with perennials or annuals to cover
the gaps that will appear. Clay soil is
acceptable as long as it drains well and
doesn’t dry out. Divide plants every 3
years in fall or early spring, discarding
any old, woody centers. All parts are
poisonous if ingested, so keep
Doronicum species away from young
children, pets, and livestock.
related plantS Doronicum
orientale ‘Finesse’ has distinctive
skinny petals that come to a point. It
reaches 18 in. tall, making it especially
useful as a cut flower. ‘Leonardo
Compact’ is an extra-early bloomer
and a tidy grower reaching 6 to 8
inches. ‘Little Leo’ is the most widely
available selection of leopard’s bane. It
has semi-double flowers and tops out
at 12 inches.Digitalis purpurea
Excelsior GroupDoronicum orientale ‘Little Leo’