Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)

Name: Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)
Brand: BC Native Plants
Price: 0.01 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sunlight:

Full Sun
Partial Sun

Soil Type:

Moist
Well-Drained

A large, native, herbaceous perennial, growing 3–10 feet tall with massive leaves and white, umbrella-shaped flower clusters. Found in moist, temperate habitats across North America, with flat-topped or rounded clusters (umbels) of white flowers, often 1–2 feet wide.

Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Consistently moist to medium-wet; it does not thrive in dry, arid soils. Prefers loam or sandy loam soils, often derived from limestone and shale. Requires good drainage to avoid root rot, despite liking consistent moisture.

Generally grows 3 to 10 feet (1–3 meters) tall and roughly 2 to 5 feet wide. It features very large leaves up to 2 feet wide.

It spreads primarily by seed dispersal, which can be dispersed by wind or water, allowing it to colonize areas quickly.

Garden Design:

Use Cow Parsnip as a center feature in large garden beds or at the end of pathways to create a dramatic, architectural impact. Ideal for the back of borders, along fence lines, or in wildlife-friendly, informal gardens. Plant in staggered rows to form a natural, seasonal privacy screen (6–8 feet tall). Mix with native wildflowers such as Black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and asters for a vibrant, pollinator-friendly meadow effect.

Bloom Times:

May
June
July

Pollinator Support:

Bees
Butterflies
Flies

Grows Well With

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