Golden Club (not Orontium aquaticum)

Lysichiton americanus, the Skunk Cabbage or American Skunk Cabbage, is a dramatic architectural plant for bog gardens and pond margins. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, it produces striking, luminous yellow, hooded spathes that enclose a spadix of tiny flowers. These bold blooms are followed by enormous, glossy green, paddle-shaped leaves that can reach over a metre in length, creating a lush, tropical effect. It thrives in consistently wet to boggy soil or very shallow water (up to 5cm deep) in partial shade. Growing to an ultimate height of 60-100cm (foliage spread up to 150cm), it's a magnificent specimen plant, though it does release a faint, skunk-like odour when disturbed. Fully hardy.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Moist to wet soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Mar, Apr.