Coltsfoot : Tussilago farfara - buy online from Wild Flower Shop

Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara

Other Names: Son-before-Father

Habitat/Distribution: This native plant is widespread throughout Britain. It prefers a heavy clay soil, but can be found growing on any poor soil. It prefers a sunny site.

Description: Small native perennial with sulphur-yellow flowers from February to
April. The flowers appear before the leaves (hence the folk name 'Son-before-Father'); they open up in the sun and close again at night. The seed heads resemble those of dandelions and are carried on the wind.

Uses: Traditionally, the leaves were dried and smoked in a pipe for the relief of asthma.

Wildlife: Along with some of our other early flowering native plants, Coltsfoot is an early source of food for bees and other insects.

Sowing Instructions for Seeds: Ideally, sow in the autumn in trays kept outdoors so that the seeds are naturally stratified (periods of alternating warmth and cold). At other times, sow and keep at around 22°C for 1-2 months. Cool for 1-2 months (around 0°C) in a fridge. Then warmer (around 10°C) for about a month. It may be necessary to repeat this process if using the fridge method. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°C.

Our plants and seeds are of native British origin.