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Farfugium spp.

leopard plant

Asteraceae

Coastal eastern Asia (Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Farfugium spp. is a small genus of evergreen perennials in the daisy family, Asteraceae, native to coastal and streamside areas of eastern Asia, including Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan. F. japonicum, the species usually grown, was formerly placed in Ligularia spp. and forms a clump of long-stalked, rounded to kidney-shaped leaves that are thick, leathery, and glossy, 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) across. Garden selections include forms spotted or edged with yellow or cream and forms with thickened, crested, or ruffled leaf margins. The leaf clump stands 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) high, and branched stems rise to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) bearing loose clusters of yellow daisy flowers, each about 1.5 inches (4 cm) across. Flowering comes late, from autumn into early winter, when little else is in bloom. Plants grow in moist, shaded ground and wilt quickly in dry or sunny sites, where leaf margins scorch. The genus is evergreen in mild climates but is cut back by hard frost, resprouting from the rootstock in spring. It spreads slowly into broad clumps.

Native Range

Farfugium spp. is native to eastern Asia, where F. japonicum grows along sea coasts, streamsides, and moist rocky slopes in Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan.

Suggested Uses

Grown in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and the moist margins of ponds and streams, and in containers in shade. The bold, glossy leaves are used for foliage contrast among ferns and small-leaved shade plants. The late yellow flowers add colour to the autumn shade garden.

How to Identify

Recognised by a clump of long-stalked, rounded to kidney-shaped leaves that are thick, leathery, and glossy dark green, sometimes spotted with yellow or with crested margins. In autumn, branched stems carry loose clusters of yellow daisy flowers above the foliage. The leaves stay green through mild winters.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Fall Winter

Flowering occurs late in the year, from autumn into early winter, when branched stems lift clusters of yellow daisy flowers above the leaves. The bloom period extends over several weeks. The flowers draw late-season bees and other insects.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

glossy dark green, sometimes spotted yellow

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil that does not dry out, conditions matching the streamside and coastal sites of the native range. Soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.0 suits the genus. In dry or sunny positions the large leaves wilt and the margins scorch, so steady moisture and shelter from midday sun are needed. Mulch conserves soil moisture and protects the crown in winter. The foliage is evergreen in mild climates but is killed back by hard frost, regrowing from the rootstock in spring. Slugs and snails graze the young leaves.

Pruning

Remove faded flower stems after blooming to keep the clump tidy. Damaged or frost-burned leaves are cut away in spring as new growth appears. Congested clumps are lifted and divided in spring to maintain vigour.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown