Aptly named dinosaur food, this tropical perennial reaches towering heights.
One of the largestperennial plantson earth, gunnera is also known as giant rhubarb or dinosaur food.
It can form a clump 10 feet tall and up to 14 feet wide.
Gunnera is a tropical plant native to southern Brazil and Colombia.
Consistently wet soil and a moderate climate are key to great gunnera growth.
Also, keep it away from buildings and other structures.
The soil should be consistently moist but not soggy and can be slightly acidic, neutral, or alkaline.
Ideal places are near water gardens, rain gardens, ponds, or bogs where soil is always moist.
Gunnera’s bold presence makes it an excellent focal point in the garden.
Pair it with plants that can stand up to it with their own eye-catching attributes.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the root system and as deep as the nursery container.
Backfill with original soil and tamp it down.
Light
Gunnera is best planted in partial shade.
Especially young plants need frequent watering until their roots are at least 1 foot deep.
Also, use the dead leaves to protect the crown from the winter cold (see Pruning).
A 2-inch layer of hardwood mulch around the crown provides additional protection in colder climates.
Fertilizer
If grown in the right conditions, gunnera usually does not need a nutrient boost.
If it seems to languish, apply abalanced slow-release fertilizerin the spring, following product label directions.
Pruning
Remove damaged or dead leaves as soon as they appear.
This protects the crown from the winter cold.
The plant will go dormant during the winter.
It should only be watered minimally during this time, about every 10 days.
Not repotting gunnera when it has outgrown its container lets you control its growth for a while.
Nonetheless, every other year or so the plant will benefit from fresh soil.
Pests and Problems
Gunnera is rarely affected by serious pest or disease problems.
Slugs and scale insects might feed on the plant.
How to Propagate Gunnera
Gunnera seeds are not commonly available from seed companies.
The recommended method of propagation is from the roots yet this is not the typical division.
Its leaves have spines.
It is also a potentially invasive plant.
It grows easily in moist to wet soils with exposure to lots of sunlight.
Zone 7-10
Ligularia
With giant, coarse-textured leaves, perennialligulariamakes a foliage-heavy addition to shade gardens.
Plant it in moisture-retentive soil; you may even consider placing it alongside water gardens.
Gently remove any excess soil and store the roots in a dry medium such as coconut coir or vermiculite.
Keep it in a cool, well-ventilated area at a temperature of around 40 degrees F.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
