Whether as a decorative perennial or as a partially poisonous medicinal plant, there can be various reasons for growing arnica in the garden. However, it is not exactly a plant that, after sowing, requires little care and will thrive anywhere.
Arnica comes from the mountains
The natural range of arnica
The real arnica (Arnica montana) thrives in nature from the valleys up to around 2,800 meters above sea level. Natural stocks are found to a greater extent in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Balkans. However, arnica also grows in parts in southern Scandinavia and in the Baltic States. However, the plant is severely endangered in many areas and is therefore partly under strict nature protection.
Choose the right location
The perfect location for the arnica in the garden should meet the following criteria:
- low in lime, arnica prefers meager and acidic meadows
- sunny to semi-shady
- loose substrate without risk of waterlogging
tips
Establishing real arnica in the garden is not easy, after all, specially bred varieties are also used for commercial cultivation. But if you succeed in settling, then you can look forward to the yellow flowers every year.