Ligularia spp.

leopard plant

Asteraceae Central and eastern Asia and Europe

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Ligularia spp. is a genus of about 125 to 140 perennial species in the daisy family, Asteraceae, native to moist meadows, streamsides, and woodland margins across central and eastern Asia, with a few species in Europe. Plants form bold clumps of large, long-stalked basal leaves, rounded to kidney- or arrow-shaped, 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) wide, with toothed margins; foliage is green to deep purple-bronze in some species. From mid to late summer, upright stems 2-6 feet (60-180 cm) tall carry yellow to orange daisy flowers, either in tall narrow spikes as in L. stenocephala or in flat-topped clusters as in L. dentata. The genus grows in consistently moist to wet, fertile soil in partial shade and wilts visibly in midday sun or dry ground, recovering as temperatures fall. Slugs and snails feed heavily on the foliage, leaving holes in the large leaves. Plants die back to the ground in winter and re-emerge in spring. Most species are hardy to USDA zone 4, performing where soil never dries out through the growing season.

Native Range

Ligularia spp. species are native to central and eastern Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East, with a small number in Europe, where they grow along streams, in wet meadows, and at moist woodland edges.

Suggested Uses

Used in bog gardens, pond and stream margins, rain gardens, and shaded borders with reliable moisture. The large-leaved species serve as foliage features in damp woodland plantings, and spike-flowered species add vertical form among hostas and ferns.

How to Identify

Identify Ligularia spp. by large, long-stalked basal leaves that are rounded, kidney-, or arrow-shaped with toothed edges, often 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) across. Tall stems carry yellow to orange daisy flowers, either in slender vertical spikes or in branched flat-topped heads. Several species show purple to bronze leaf undersides and dark stems.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs from mid to late summer, generally July to September. Yellow to orange daisy flowers open over several weeks, rising well above the foliage on dark stems. Spike-flowered species open from the bottom upward, while cluster-flowered species bloom in flat heads.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow to orange

Foliage Description

Green to purple-bronze

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 clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Ligularia spp. grows in partial shade in deep, fertile soil kept consistently moist to wet. Plants wilt in direct afternoon sun and dry soil, so positions near ponds, streams, and in low, damp ground hold them upright through the day. Even moisture and a spring mulch reduce midday wilting. Slugs and snails are the main pest, feeding on the broad leaves. Most species are hardy to USDA zone 4 and tolerate winter cold once dormant. Growth is slow to establish but forms large clumps over a few seasons.

Pruning

Spent flower stems are cut back after bloom to keep clumps tidy, and tattered leaves can be removed through the season. Foliage is left to die back naturally in autumn, then cleared once frost has blackened it. Clumps can be divided in spring to maintain vigor.

Pruning Schedule

fall