How to Grow Ligularia Now for Beautiful Blooms in Your Summer and Fall Garden

Ligularia is a substantial genus of plants perfect for problem areas in your landscape. No matter if it’s the shady north side of your home, a boggy area close to a stream or pond, or a bare spot under your tree canopy. With just a little bit of care, this tall ornamental brings color and structure to the garden.

Hardy in USDA growing zones 4 to 8, ligularia is an herbaceous perennial which means it dies back to the ground after heavy frost.

Spring through autumn, large, basal, palm-shaped leaves form slow-spreading clumps topped by tall (to 6 feet) spikes of daisy-like yellow and orange flowers in mid to late summer and autumn.

How to Grow Ligularia

Success with ligularia is all about location. Choose a sheltered spot with afternoon shade that stays consistently moist and you won’t need to spend much time on maintenance.

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Light

Ligularia has relatively low light needs thriving even in full shade, but morning or dappled sun exposure gives plants the best appearance with more blooms and variegation in the foliage of some species. Too much sun and afternoon heat causes droopy flowers and wilting of large leaves.

Soil

This is a moisture-loving genus that needs soil to stay constantly moist. It thrives in bogs, rain gardens, and along pond and stream banks.

Rich, fertile humus is ideal but it will grow in average soils with a balanced pH as long as it doesn’t dry out.

Water

Ligularia does not tolerate dry soils. More sun exposure and high temperatures mean you’ll need to provide supplemental water in areas where soil tends to dry out.

This is not an aquatic plant but roots withstand being partially submerged. To reduce watering needs, plant close to a natural water source or in a low-lying area with good water retention.

Pruning

Keep your ligularia patch tidy by removing discolored leaves and deadheading spent flower spikes. Remove leaves by hand or use a pruner to clip them off at the base.

Small ray flowers bloom on spikes of some varieties while other types feature flowers clustered atop a stem rising high above the basal foliage. Prune spent flower stems at ground level to encourage a second smaller bloom.

After plants die back remove withered leaves and stems as part of your autumn garden cleanup. Keep in mind that overwintering debris can harbor disease and provide shelter for pests.

Types of Ligularia

Ligularia is a genus with around 140 different species, most of which are native to China. Flowers attract bees and butterflies and plants are deer and rabbit resistant. The National Gardening Association lists several species and their cultivars as the most popular for home gardens.

Ligularia przewalskii ‘The Rocket’

Basal foliage is light green, heart-shaped, and strongly toothed, growing up to 1 foot in length. Spikes of lemon yellow ray flowers appear on black stems rising an averageof 4 feet above foliage. Blooms appear in July and August.

Ligularia dentata ‘Britt Marie Crawford’

Highly ornamental purple leaves grow up to 9 inches in length with a ruffled appearance. Orange daisy-like flowers appear in clumps at the tops of purplish-black stems rising to 3 1/2 feet above basal foliage. Blooms last mid to late summer.

Ligularia dentata ‘Desdemona’

Large, rounded leaves display a bronze tint with purple undersides. Reddish stems grow 2 to 3 feet tall topped with clusters of 4-inch orangish-yellow ray flowers. Blooms appear mid-summer through autumn.

When to Plant Ligularia

Plant ligularia in early spring or early autumn. Spring planting provides light and warmth for healthy growth throughout the season. Set out plants in early autumn in time for roots to establish before winter weather sets in. Add a layer of mulch for both spring and autumn plantings.

Most often transplanted from nursery starts, ligularia is propagated through division. Each plant spreads outward from the center to form a non-invasive, tidy clump. Avoid unwanted plants by deadheading flowers before seeds form.

5 Tips For Growing Ligularia

• Choose a partly shaded location in soil with good moisture retention. Avoid spots that get hot afternoon sun which can burn the leaves.
• Keep soil constantly moist but not waterlogged. Ligularia is not aquatic and won’t grow submerged in water however roots should be kept moist at all times. Water new plants twice a week and established plants once weekly or on an as-needed basis.
• Feed plants once in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer such as bone meal.
• Deadhead spent flower spikes and cut plants to ground level after dieback or first frost.
• Add mulch for winter protection.