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Ligularia
Ligularia
Ligularia blooms from July through August.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Ligularia
Plant it in part shade. It prefers high water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. Expect it to reach about 3.9 ft tall and 2.6 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Ligularia
Plant Ligularia in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 8 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from July to August.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Good to know about Ligularia
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so treat it as not for eating. ASPCA does not list it, so cat, dog and horse risk is unclassified rather than cleared. per PubMed Central and ASPCA
Worth knowing
Its big thin leaves flop dramatically in hot midday sun, even in moist soil, then perk up again by evening. A limp midday look is usually heat, not damage. per NC State and Missouri Botanical
Heat sets the real limit
NC State lists zones 4a to 8b, Minnesota Extension stretches to 9. All agree it struggles in hot summers whatever the number. Heat, not cold, is the real limit. per NC State and Minnesota
Bloom time depends on species
Rounded-leaf dentata types flower June to July; the tall narrow-spike types bloom later, from mid summer into early fall. Buy the species that matches the timing you want. per Missouri Botanical and NC State
Slugs are the main pest
The cool, moist shade it loves is exactly what slugs and snails want. They rasp irregular smooth-edged holes in the big leaves, so plan control from the start. per UC Statewide IPM and NC State
Deer usually pass it by
The University of Minnesota says the thick, tough, serrated leaves put deer off. As with any deer-resistant plant, hungry deer may still browse it when food is scarce. per Minnesota
Dark purple-leaf cultivars
Several dentata cultivars, including 'Desdemona' and 'Othello', carry dark bronze-purple leaves with purple undersides and stems: a bold reason to grow it beyond the yellow flowers. per Missouri Botanical and Penn State
What pairs well with Ligularia
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Bugleweed
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; a vigorous spreader, so give it room or an edging.
Cyclamen
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in early fall as this one finishes; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Rhododendron
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Pansy
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; purple against orange, for contrast.
Pachysandra
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; a vigorous spreader, so give it room or an edging.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; low at 5 in, to carpet the ground beneath; its white flowers settle the orange.
Windflower
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; blue against orange, for contrast.
Bacopa
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; its white flowers settle the orange.
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