Ligularia
( lig - yew - LAY - ree - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationNatives of East Asia, this genus includes species of perennial flowering plants which need partial shade and ample amounts of water to perform well in the landscape. They are commonly called Leopard Plants or Ragworts, and form three foot wide clumps of foliage from which inflorescences of yellow or orange daisy-form flowers emerge on spikes or terminal inflorescences. Ligularia makes a great choice for planting along the sides of pools or streambeds, or in bog gardens. They can do well in mixed beds or borders, in bioswales or rain gardens, and can also do well in containers.
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Ligularia Species and Varietals
The genus Ligularia is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes between 120 and 140 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for 'strap', referring to the shape of the ray florets. Ligularia grows best in zones 1-9 and 14-17, though this varies somewhat depending on the species and varietal. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Ligularia dentata (Summer Ragwort, Leopardplant) Grown primarily for its handsome foliage, this species of Ligularia sends up 3-5 foot tall stems in summer and early fall that are topped with branching clusters of orange-yellow daisy flowers. Varieties include 'Othello' (pictured; grows in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-17) and 'Desdemona', both with deep purple leaf stalks and leaf undersides. |
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Ligularia fischeri (Gomchwi, Fischer's Ragwort, Fischer's Leopard Plant) This specie sis native to east Asia, and forms a clump of kidney-shaped green leaves. Stem leaves are smaller, and flowers are yellow. These plants are cultivated in their native range as a main ingredient for herbal side dishes (Namul). |
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Ligularia 'Osiris Cafe Noir' This cultivar of Ligularia reaches 20 inches tall and just as wide. New growth is purple-black and matures to greenish bronze. Leaves are leathery and serrated on the edges. Summertime blooms are yellow and top 20-inch tall stems. |
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Ligularia sibirica This is the type species for the genus Ligularia, and is currently disappearing from many of the places in Europe where it is native, due to the draining of wetlands and invasive plants outcompeting them. Flowers are yellow and form at the top of a tall spike in springtime. |
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Ligularia przewalskii (Przewalski's Leopardplant, Przewalski's Golden Ray) Foliage is deeply lobed and flowering stems are deep purple, reaching 6 feet in height. Flowers are yellow and form in spires at stem tips in summertime. In China, these plants are known as medicinal plants. |
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Ligularia stenocephala This species grows well in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-17. Flower spikes are beautiful. Variety 'The Rocket' (pictured) is the most commonly sold selection of this species; it has irregularly toothed leaves in a foliage clump that reaches a foot tall and flowers of yellow that form in narrow spires. |
Caring for Ligularia
Ligularia, or Ragwort, does well in a sheltered, somewhat humid space in the landscape that receives full shade to partial shade. Morning or dappled sun exposure will give plants the best appearance and blooms, including better foliage color in dark or variegated-leaf varieties. When these plants are grown in too much sun, their leaves will develop sunburn and flowers will be droopy. Afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day is critical to keeping plants at their healthiest. Ligularia prefers soil to be well-draining, fertile, and have a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plants regularly. At maturity, these plants prefer to be in moist soil and do well in depressed areas of the landscape, bioswales, or rain gardens. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. If soils are particularly poor in nutrients, another compost application can be completed in early summertime. Prune these plants to remove spent flower spikes or inflorescences, and remove any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage as it appears. Clumps of plants can be left alone to multiply for years; only divide Ligularias in early spring for propagation or when the performance of flowers is in noticeable decline. For instructions on how to properly divide Ligularia plants, see the Propagation section below.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. If soils are particularly poor in nutrients, another compost application can be completed in early summertime. Prune these plants to remove spent flower spikes or inflorescences, and remove any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage as it appears. Clumps of plants can be left alone to multiply for years; only divide Ligularias in early spring for propagation or when the performance of flowers is in noticeable decline. For instructions on how to properly divide Ligularia plants, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
Ligularia can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Ligularia, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Ligularia by Seed
Propagating Ligularia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Ligularia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Ligularia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Ligularia seed heads can be rounded or form on spikes, depending on the species.
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Ligularia seeds are elongated, dark brown to black, and have feathery attachments.
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Problems and Pests
Ligularia plants are typically resilient plants in the landscape, though they can have issues with the following from time to time:
- Snails and Slugs
Gallery
These plants provide beautiful foliage even when out of bloom.
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Here, Ligularia is used along a shaded pathway to provide some much-needed color.
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Ligularia species either form upright spikes or terminal inflorescences which hold their flowers.
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Videos
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Learn about these fantastic pollinator plants for shade.
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Check out this video about Ligularia 'Bottle Rocket'.
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How to grow Leopard Plant in the garden.
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These nursery plants are ready to go in the ground.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 411, Ligularia
