Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ (Bidens aurea ‘Hannay`s Lemon Drop’)

Description

Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ is a beautiful, upright perennial that adds vibrant color to any garden. With its striking yellow star-shaped flowers and white tips, it blooms from June to October, bringing cheerful brightness to your outdoor space. This guide will help you successfully plant and care for your Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’, ensuring it thrives in your garden.

PLANTING and AFTERCARE GUIDE

Best Planting Time

• Spring: The ideal time to plant Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ is in spring, once the soil has warmed up. This allows the roots to establish before the summer, promoting strong growth and healthy flowering.
• Autumn: You can also plant in early autumn. Planting at this time gives the plant time to settle before dormancy, ensuring robust growth when spring arrives.

Site Selection

• Sunlight: Boleus thrives in full sun to partial shade. For best results, choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. In particularly hot climates, partial shade during the hottest part of the day can help protect the plant from heat stress.
• Soil: Boleus prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It does best in soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy, improve its drainage by mixing in compost or organic matter. Well-drained soil is essential for preventing root rot, so ensure that the planting area doesn’t become waterlogged.

Planting Instructions

1. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole that is twice the width and the same depth as the root ball of your Boleus. This gives the roots plenty of space to grow and establish themselves.
2. Soil Preparation: Mix compost or organic matter into the soil to improve its fertility and drainage. Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ thrives in nutrient-rich soil, which will help support vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
3. Planting: Place the plant into the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Gently backfill the hole with soil, firming it down lightly to remove any air pockets.
4. Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and promote root establishment. Make sure the area drains well to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

• Growing Season: Once established, Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ is moderately drought-tolerant. During dry spells, water the plant deeply, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root problems.
• Dormant Season: During the dormant season, reduce watering significantly. Only water if the soil becomes extremely dry, as Boleus requires very little moisture when not actively growing.

Feeding

• Spring: In early spring, apply a balanced fertiliser to give Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ a strong start. This supports healthy growth and encourages vibrant blooms.
• Summer: You may also feed the plant lightly in mid-summer with a general-purpose fertiliser to help sustain its growth and extend the flowering season. Be careful not to overfeed, as this can cause the plant to become leggy.

Pruning

• Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers from your Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’. Deadheading helps prolong the blooming period, keeps the plant looking tidy, and encourages more flowers to appear.
• Autumn Pruning: After the blooming season, prune back any dead or damaged foliage. This helps prepare Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ for winter and ensures it will grow strong in the following season.

Mulching

• Spring: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your Boleus in spring to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches, such as bark chips or compost, are excellent choices.
• Winter: In areas with colder winters, mulch around the plant in late autumn to protect the roots from frost damage and ensure the plant survives the winter months.

Supporting the Plant

• Staking: Although Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ typically has sturdy stems, it can benefit from staking in particularly windy locations or if the plant grows tall. Staking helps prevent the plant from flopping over and maintains its upright structure.

Final Tips

Boleus ‘Lemon Queen’ is an easy-to-care-for perennial that adds vibrant color to your garden throughout the summer and autumn. By following these planting and care tips, you can enjoy healthy growth and abundant flowers year after year. Remember, Boleus thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of sunlight, making it perfect for garden beds, borders, or even containers. With minimal care and attention, this stunning perennial will brighten up your garden for months to come.

RHS Details

See more perennials from Proctors