Butterbur Seeds | Umbrella Plant | Giant Hardy Foliage Perennial
Create a bold, jungle-style look in your garden with Butterbur (Umbrella Plant) — a dramatic perennial prized for its huge, rounded leaves and early spring flowers. While it looks tropical, this plant is extremely cold hardy, thriving in climates where many foliage plants struggle.
Butterbur forms enormous, broad leaves that can reach 1–2 feet across, with a coarse texture and eye-catching purple leaf veins. The thick leaf stems are highly decorative, featuring purple and white striping. In very early spring — often while snow is still present — tall flower stalks appear, topped with clusters of white to soft pink blooms.
This is a vigorous spreading plant that appreciates moisture and room to grow. It’s an excellent choice for pond edges, damp garden areas, woodland gardens, and shaded landscapes, and can even be grown as a marginal aquatic plant in shaded ponds.
Perfect for gardeners who love giant foliage plants, shade gardens, and statement perennials.
Plant Information
Botanical Name: Petasites hybridus
Common Name: Butterbur, Umbrella Plant
Plant Type: Perennial
Height: 7–8 ft
Flower Color: White to light pink
Bloom Time: Early spring
Foliage: Very large, rounded leaves with purple veining
Light Requirement: Part shade (full sun may cause leaf burn)
USDA Zones: 3–8
Uses: Shade gardens, pond edges, wet soils, bold foliage plant
Why Grow Butterbur?
Giant tropical-style leaves
Extremely cold hardy
Early spring flowers
Thrives in moist & shady areas
Excellent for ponds & woodland gardens
