Ligularia is a large-leafed perennial that loves growing in persistently damp spots.
Although known for its foliage, ligularia often blooms golden flowers.
With giant, coarse-textured leaves, perennial ligularia is a foliage-heavy addition toshade gardens.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The plants leaves are sometimes triangular, sometimes kidney-shaped, and tend to be toothed around the edges.
As they emerge, the leaves of many ligularia varieties develop a rich burgundy color.
No matter their form, the petals of ligularia flowers are always a bright golden color.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Where to Plant Ligularia
Ligularia is hardy in Zones 4-9.
Ideally, this perennial should be placed in partial sun.
In spring, new plants receive the light and warm weather they require for a successful growing season.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Remember that ligularia needs constantly moist soil, so site it in a spot that accommodates wet conditions.
Dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container.
Remove the ligularia and slightly loosen the roots from the root ball before placing it in the hole.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Backfill with soil and tamp lightly.
Water deeply twice a week when first planted and then once a week as needed.
Ligularia Care Tips
The most important thing to know about growing ligularia is thatit requires constant moisture.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Apart from the supplemental watering, ligularia doesnt need much maintenance.
Light
Sunlightneeds for ligularia vary, depending on your overall goal for the garden.
The best location will receive partial sun, but ligularia can also handle full shade, preferably dappled.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Soil and Water
These perennials preferrich, organic soil.
If needed, add compost to enrich the ground in your garden.
Ligularia needs supplemental water throughout the summer to prevent wilting, especially in warmer climates.
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Unless the soil is consistently damp, ligularia will likely wilt almost daily in areas with hot summers.
When temperatures climb above 75F, ligularia may wilt.
Ligularia also enjoys humidity but doesnt require it in the air as long as the soil is consistently moist.
Fertilizer
If the soil where you plant ligularia is humus- and nutrient-rich, fertilizer isnt needed.
Otherwise, ligularia doesnt need regular pruning.
Add about 1 inch of soil over the roots.
Fertilize monthly to keep the soil rich, but dont overfertilize or add fertilizer during the dormant winter months.
When the plants roots start to grow out of the container, repot it in a larger one.
Use a reliable method tokeep slugs out of your plants.
How to Propagate Ligularia
Ligularia can be propagated by seed or divisions.
If you divide in the spring, the new plants reap the benefits of a warm growing season.
To propagate, dig up the parent plant and tease apart the roots.
Use a sharp blade to split the plant at the root crown, ensuring each division has viable shoots.
Tamp the soil into place and water thoroughly.
Saturate the soil and press your ligularia seeds onto the surface, covering them only slightly with more soil.
Mist the soil and cover the pot with plastic wrap to retain as much moisture as possible.
Station the seeds where they receive light but where temperatures remain between 55F and 65F.
The seeds may take as little as two weeks or as long as six weeks to sprout.
Once the seedlings are a few inches tall, they are ready for planting.
Reaching over 5 feet tall, The Rocket promises some of the tallest flower spikes amongst ligularia.
Zones 4-8 are ideal for growing this variety.
The plants flowers look very delicate, with trumpet-shaped blooms in myriad colors.
Daylilys strappy foliage may be evergreen or deciduous.
Globe Thistle
Globe thistleis one of the most elegantly colored plants around.
Large balls of steel-blue flowers emerge in midsummer with coarse, grayish-green leaves.
The unique blooms make excellent cut flowers, lasting for weeks in a vase.
The plant thrives in Zones 3-10.
While blooms are most commonly blue-violet, balloon flowers also come in pink or white.
The plants foliage turns clear gold in fall, so dont cut it down too early.
Balloon flower tolerates light shade but not wet feet or drought.
Zones 4-9 are ideal for growing the plant.
Black-Eyed Susan
Add sunshine to your garden with a mass planting ofblack-eyed Susan.
Tall varieties look especially lovely among shrubs, which in turn provide support for the stalks.
Black-eyed Susan thrives in Zones 3-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ligularia blooms attract birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Ligularia originally had many spotted varieties, which is why it was calledleopard plant.
Now, there are few cultivars with spots.
