Name: Petasites japonicus giganteous – Giant Butterbur
SKU: 270
Price: 26.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Petasites japonicus giganteous – Giant Butterbur

$26.00

(Asteraceae – Aster Family)

Edible Perennial Herb • Ht 6′ • USDA Zones 4-9

Native to Korea, China, Japan

Ships in active growth in 1 quart pots or equivalent

Please Note: Due to regulations, we cannot ship these plants to WA, OR, HI, WI, MI, NY, VT, or ME

General Information: A fairyland foliage plant whose edible stalks reach 6′ tall and whose umbrella-like basal leaves spread 5′ across. The unusual flower cluster, which seemingly belongs to an entirely different plant, appears in early spring during late March and early April before the leaves develop. Once the leaves emerge, a veritable jungle of foliage will begin to arise, completely shading the understory. In late fall and winter, the plants die back without leaving a trace. Fuki is very useful for filling in space, particularly in shady bare spots. This plant is a member of a genus of about 15 species of spreading perennials native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are commonly cultivated as ornamentals, but this species is commonly cultivated for edible uses in Japan. The plant also has a tradition of medicinal use. This enormous variety is commonly used as an umbrella and a toy by Japanese school children. The leaf stalks are so large that they can also be used as walking sticks!

Edible Qualities: The plant is cultivated in Japan for the large, edible petioles (leaf stalks) which are candied and made into a dessert also called “Fuki.” The stalks have other uses – they may be included as an ingredient in soups, preserved in miso, or pickled. The stalks may also be eaten raw, although their flavor and stringiness may be disagreeable. Cooking the plant transforms the flavor profile from slightly bitter and herbal to fragrant and very pleasant. The flower buds and stems are also edible, and are reportedly prized in Japan.

Cultivation Details: We recommend installing a rhizome barrier to limit the spread of this plant. Their unrestrained spread may impede on native plant populations, especially in sensitive wetland habitats. The flower stalks should be pruned back to limit the spread of seeds. The plant is dioecious, and to our knowledge we only have male plants present. We recommend that growers remove the flowers as they emerge just in case there is a compatible flower of the opposite gender nearby. The best method to control this plant is eating! A native to the understory of forests in Japan, this plant will feel at home in any moist shady soils, especially in the Northeastern US where the climate is similar to that of Northern Japan. We give this plant substantial room to grow in our plantings. It appears that the spread of the plant is limited by sunlight and soil moisture, preferring to grow in the damp shade. Regular mowings also appear to have limited the spread of this plant, however we cannot reliably say whether this strategy of control is nearly as effective as a rhizome barrier. On our 90-acre farm, our Fuki plantings have not spread from the area they were planted in decades ago, however, we have noticed that the plants can be quick to escape pots and readily take root from rhizome fragments.

Growing Requirements: Plant in dappled to full shade. Tolerates direct sun if kept sufficiently moist. Prefers moist, rich soil. Tolerant of all soil types as long as they are moist.