August 2009 Plant of the Month — Ligularia Print
Friday, 31 July 2009 19:00
Ligularia dentata ‘Britt Marie Crawford’Ligularia are found within the family Asteraceae. This seems an odd placement if you only consider the foliage — since Ligularia look nothing like Aster, Echinacea or Rudbeckia, any of which could be the poster child for the composite family — but a close look at the flowers will soon explain the relationship.

Each ‘flower’ is an inflorescence comprised of the central disk flowers (usually fertile) without petals, and the outer ray flowers (usually sterile) which include the showy petals. The genus name comes from the Latin for strap — ligula, a reference to the linear nature of the petals. Common names include ragwort, (golden) groundsel, and rayflower, none of which are attractive and could even be considered a liability. The genus name is the easiest way to refer to them.

Ligularia are big, bold, beautiful herbaceous perennials best suited for damp, shady locations. Their large, often somewhat succulent leaves require almost constant moisture to keep them hydrated and turgid. If a Ligularia is situated in a location that receives too much sunlight it will wilt pitifully until the sun moves to another part of the garden at which point it will wondrously revive. This will often occur even with moisture retentive soils. Find the balance between moisture and sunlight that will keep Ligularia happy and the gardener will be well rewarded. Native to China and Japan and found in moist woodland areas amongst the dappled shade along ponds and streams — recreate this environment and Ligularia will be extremely happy. If they must be grown in a sunny location, expect regular wilting and revival, almost regular enough to set your watch by. In the short term, this doesn’t seem to be overly detrimental and the plants can live for several years. In the long term, vigour and longevity must be affected. With regular irrigation and a garden makeover every few years — no problem, but if one gardens for the long haul — plant Ligularia in the shade with a moisture retentive soil.

Ligularia palmatiloba 'Sungold'
Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket'
As one might expect from the moist shady location, slugs can be a problem for the foliage, care should be taken to deter their predation. On the bright side however, deer do not seem inclined to dine on Ligularia, while butterflies love them.

Great companion plants with which to balance the ‘solid’ foliage of the Ligularia would be some light and lacy ferns, Thalictrum or Astilbe. Add color to the foliage display with almost any medium to larger Hosta, especially golden or variegated selections.

Several species of Ligularia are recognized as well as numerous worthwhile cultivars. All those grown for ornamental display are excellent specimen plants with which to add an architectural impact to any garden grouping. There are Ligularia with rounded smooth edged, succulent, dark purple to chocolate foliage, and some that are arrow shaped with toothed margins in various degrees of green. The floral displays vary as well, with the arrowhead foliaged species generally bearing their smaller flowers on tall linear spikes, while the curves of the rounded leaves are carried through to the mounding of branched inflorescences bearing large showy daisies. Both the foliage and the flowers are excellent for cutting and bringing into the house.

Ligularia dentata ‘Britt Marie Crawford’ PP#16113

One of the best new perennials to be released in the last few years — in any genera. Succulent, heavy leaves are a uniform dark chocolate brown — scrumptious! The plants are strong, hardy and grow fast to fill their container or location in the garden. They are somewhat less susceptible to the drought stress described above, but still prefer a shady location. Flowering occurs in mid summer with the appearance of multitudes of golden daisies produced on tall branching stems. This cultivar is an excellent replacement for the ‘formerly standard’ dark leafed L. dentata selections ‘Othello’ and ‘Desdemona’. Both are great plants, but if space is an issue there is no contest — grow ‘Britt Marie Crawford’. Foliage reaches an even mounded height of about 30” (75 cm) but when in flower the plant is up to about 50” (125 cm) in height. Mature plants can spread from 30”-36” (75 cm – 90 cm). USDA 3 – 8.

Ligularia palmatiloba

Also known as the Palm Leaf Ligularia — in reference to a Fan leaf palm rather than a coconut palm. Huge platter like leaves are deeply lobed like a massively over endowed many fingered hand, and then each digit is incised and serrated. Absolutely gorgeous, and definitely a conversation piece. The soft green coloring is gently soothing in its preferred shaded area. Flowering occurs in late summer with the appearance of masses of orange daisies held well above the mounded foliage. Height of foliage about 3’ (90 cm) but in flower 4’ (120 cm) is to be expected, with a foliage spread of about 3’ (90 cm). USDA 5 – 9.

Ligularia przewalskii

Not often seen (unless it is mislabelled as ‘The Rocket) this stunning Ligularia deserves more attention. Named for Nikolai Przhevasky (Przewalski or Prjevalsky) the Russian explorer of the 19th century who is better known as the ‘discoverer’ of the last known species of wild horse. The beautiful green arrowhead shaped green leaves are deeply incised and quite different from those found on ‘The Rocket’, but in size and flowering habit they are remarkably similar. Tall spikes of yellow daisy-like flowers appear in mid to late summer. Height of foliage is about 3’ (90cm) but the flower spikes will reach up to 6’ (180 cm) with no difficulty. The plants spread to about 3’ (90cm). USDA 4 – 8.

Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket'

The classic Ligularia that deserves a place in every suitable garden. Quite the opposite form from L. ‘Britt Marie Crawford’, ‘The Rocket’ exhibits immense arrowhead shaped leaves with toothed margins. The cultivar name refers to the flower spikes which shoot into the sky in mid summer, full of bright yellow daisies contrasting against their black stems. Height of foliage about 3’ (90cm) but when in bloom 5’ – 6’ (150cm – 180 cm) Spread 3’ (90 cm). USDA 4 – 9.

Ligularia ‘Little Rocket’ PP#14621

A fairly recently released dwarf version of the great garden classic, L. ’Little Rocket’ will do well in smaller gardens or containers. Reaching a maximum height of only 4’ (120 cm) when in bloom these little guys are much more manageable for most modern gardeners. A similarly restrained spread of about 30” (75 cm) can be expected. USDA 4 – 9.

Ligularia tussilaginaea ‘Cristata’

Crested Ligularia actually more accurately named Farfugium japonicum ‘Cristata’ as it was until quite recently included within the Ligularia genus and deserves far more attention than it currently receives. Absolutely stunning curled and crested dark grey green foliage with a powdery coating that produces the greyish cast. Early growth also exhibits a pinkish tinge. A great plant for containers, the striking foliage also looks great in a vase — even a single leaf! Flowers somewhat reluctantly (and quite unnecessarily for ornamental purposes) in the orange daisy form similar to L. dentata etc. Height about 2’ (60 cm) with about an additional foot (30cm) for the flowers. Spread about 2’ – 3’ (60cm – 90cm) especially in large containers. Not quite as hardy as other plants described above, but definitely worth seeking out. USDA 6 – 8.
 

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