Ligularia

With its bold dark foliage and eye catching yellow blooms, Ligularia is a prize specimen for any shade garden.

A perfect foil for the silvery blues of Hostas or the feathery foliage of Astilbes, Ligularias' heart shaped leaves range from deep green, bronze, or maroon, and from smooth edged, toothed, or serrated. Daisy shaped flowers, in hues of yellow not typical of most shade perennials, rise above the clumping foliage in mid to late summer.

Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Planted in a row, Ligularia will create a striking seasonal hedge, and single plants become large focal points. These moisture loving plants are very well suited for placement besides pools, stream beds and in rain gardens.

Ligularia was first classified by count Alexandre de Cassioni in the early 19th century; it was first categorized under the Compositae family, but has since been reclassified under the Asteraceae family. Ligularia is native to China, Taiwan and Japan, and in Japan the plant is known as Metakaraku, which means "sweet smelling roots".

Hybrid Ligularia have been bred with both foliage (like the serrated leaves of L. 'Osirius Cafe Noir') and flowers (like the golden spires of L. 'The Rocket' - shown here) in mind.

Some varieties you'll find at Portland Nursery include:

Ligularia dentata 'Britt-Marie Crawford'

Ligularia dentata 'Britt-Marie Crawford'

Broad, glossy, dark chocolate leaves with the dark purple undersides make an extremely bold statement in the garden. In late summer, golden orange flowers are perched atop purplish-black stems for an altogether captivating composition. More sun tolerant than most Ligularia. 3-4'H x 3-4'W.

Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona'

Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona'

Deep yellow flowers (2"-4" across) appear in summer, rising above the leaves on thick stems. Tooth-edged foliage is just as beautiful in its own right; new leaves are purplish-red, while mature leaves have deep green tops and maroon undersides. 2-3'H x 2-3'W.

Ligularia dentata 'Osiris Café Noir'

Ligularia 'Osiris Café Noir'

This dwarf Ligularia has leathery leaves with serrated edges that start out deep purple and lighten through bronze to green as they mature. Yellow flowers emerge in mid to late summer. 20"H x 20"W.

Ligularia 'Othello'

Ligularia 'Othello'

Large, rich mahogany leaves

Bright golden daisy flowers

Grows 30-42" tall by 36-48"wide

Zones 4-9.


Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket'

One of the most well known species of Ligularia, 'The Rocket' has stunning black-stemmed spikes of yellow flowers that rise out of mounded deep green tooth-edged foliage.

Blooms mid-summer. 4-6'H x 4-6'W.

Find the Best Perennials for your Garden

We have a wonderful selection of perennials year round, but if you are looking for a specific perennial we will have the best selection when it is in bloom around town. Note: Native plant pages will take you into the Native Plant section.

Natives

Lewisia: Bitterroot