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Lysichiton americanus (Yellow skunk cabbage)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Lysichiton americanus
Other names
Yellow skunk cabbage, American skunk cabbage, Western skunk cabbage
Genus
Lysichiton Lysichiton
Species
L. americanus - L. americanus is an herbaceous perennial with distinctive, bright yellow spathes in spring that have an unpleasant odour. It is a plant for waterside planting and bog gardens.
Lysichiton americanus is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers have an unpleasant, musky odour. Although not overpowering, it will be stronger if there are several flowers.
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Yellow in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Offsets, Seed
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Where to grow
Lysichiton americanus (Yellow skunk cabbage) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Bog garden, Low Maintenance, Waterside
Cultivation
L. americanus is a plant for the waterside or bog garden, so grow in permantly-moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. It is a robust plant, happy in full sun or partial shade. The flowers have an odour which is not generally overpowering but stronger if there
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Lysichiton americanus
Other names
Yellow skunk cabbage, American skunk cabbage, Western skunk cabbage
Genus
Lysichiton Lysichiton
Species
L. americanus - L. americanus is an herbaceous perennial with distinctive, bright yellow spathes in spring that have an unpleasant odour. It is a plant for waterside planting and bog gardens.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers have an unpleasant, musky odour. Although not overpowering, it will be stronger if there are several flowers.
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Offsets, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Lysichiton americanus (Yellow skunk cabbage) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Bog garden, Low Maintenance, Waterside
Cultivation
L. americanus is a plant for the waterside or bog garden, so grow in permantly-moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. It is a robust plant, happy in full sun or partial shade. The flowers have an odour which is not generally overpowering but stronger if there
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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