Tolmiea menziesii 'Taff's Gold'
Pick-a-back, Youth on age, Thousand mothers, Picka back plant
Also known as Tolmiea 'Goldsplash'
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.5m
- Position
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This ground-covering plant makes a dome of lobed leaves, mottled green and creamy-gold. It has trivial brown columns of flowers. It is a good plant for semi-shaded and moist conditions. The common name comes from the plant's viviparous habit of producing young plants from buds that sit at the base of the leaves, so they actually do ride 'pick-a-back'.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.