Plant Library

Description:

The common dandelion mostly seen as a weed, yet can be used and harvested for its leaves, flowers and root; bright yellow flowers bloom over lobed foliage before transitioning to fluffy silver seedheads; only harvest if not treated with chemicals

Ornamental Features

Common Dandelion features showy yellow round flowers held atop the stems in mid spring. Its lobed compound leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Common Dandelion is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Common Dandelion is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Herb Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Common Dandelion will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 6 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is native to parts of North America..

Common Dandelion is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.