Variegated Japanese Butterbur Plant, Sweet Coltsfoot, Fuki Petasites japonicus variegatus

Easily grown in consistently moist to wet soils in part shade to full shade. If grown in full sun, leaves will typically wilt during hot days in somewhat the same manner as with the ligularias. Best grown at the shoreline of large natural ponds, on the banks of streams or in bogs. The Japanese Butterbur plant tolerates a wide range of soils as long as consistent moisture is present. Large containers sunk in the ground may be used if control its spread into other gardens or unwanted areas. Grow in containers for water gardens or smaller ponds.

Petasites japonicus variegatus, commonly known as variegated butterbur, fuki or sweet coltsfoot, is a rhizomatous perennial that is noted for its huge basal leaves that form dense spreading clumps of foliage to 3’ tall and 5’ wide. It is native to Korea, China and Japan where it is typically found growing on wet streambanks in woodland areas. Long-stalked, lightly toothed, kidney-shaped, mottled green/white leaves (to 16-36” wide). Fragrant, yellowish-white, flowers in short spike appear in early Spring before the leaves emerge. Leaf stalks (petioles) are cooked and eaten as a vegetable (fuki) in Japan.

Genus name comes from the Greek petasos meaning a hat with a broad brim with reference to the large leaves.
The leaves were reportedly once used to wrap butter in hot weather, giving it the common name.