How to Grow and Care for Mountain tobaccos

Mountain tobacco (Arnica montana) is a member of the sunflower family that is native to much of Europe, where it grows in nutrient-poor soils in alpine meadows. Mountain tobacco is extremely strong in fragrance and can sometimes overwhelm other aromas in residential gardens if used as a wildflower. The flowers are great stops for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Heartleaf Arnica is a small yellow flower in the sunflower family with brightly colored petals, hairy stems, and heart-shaped leaves. These plants spread through their root system and can form large colonies. Parts of the plant have been used as a conditioner for hair, although it can create mild discomfort. An individual plant can live for up to 12 years!

Hairy arnica (Arnica mollis) is an herbaceous perennial in the sunflower family that blooms from summer to fall with yellow daisy-like flowers. The foliage is covered in hair giving it a powdery green appearance and bristled texture. Thrives in full sun and moist soil.

Another name for foothill arnica (Arnica fulgens) is hillside arnica because it thrives on mountains, hillsides, and high elevations. This relative of sunflowers indigenous to western North America and was harvested and identified in the early 1800s by the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Broadleaf arnica (Arnica latifolia) is a member of the sunflower family whose bright yellow flowers can be seen in upland forests and meadows. The Latin name latifolia also means broadleaved and these broad leaves help to differentiate this plant from its similar cousin Arnica cordifolia.