Ligularias Like "Wet Feet"

Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Ligularias (ligs) are outstanding summer flowering perennials  Two species and numerous varieties are grown for their bold foliage and showy flowers. Ligs have one special need: consistent soil moisture through the spring and summer months. Don’t attempt to grow either one of these awesome plants unless their water needs will be satisfied. These plants prefer wet, boggy feet (roots).

Their roots must be kept constantly moist so that leaves don’t wilt or "faint". Even after a summer shower, ligs may still go through a brief spell fainting in the mid-afternoon due to summer heat and water loss from transpiration.  By early evening the leaves recover fully hydrated.

Bigleaf ligs (L. dentata) and narrow-spiked ligularias (L. stenocephala), aka "golden ray", grow well in temperate climes (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Tropical species are listed under the genus Farfugium  (zones 7b -10). Favorite cultivars include: 'The Rocket', 'Bottle Rocket', 'Britt-Marie Crawford', 'Desdemona'.

Ligularias (ligs) thrive in part day sun or light shade all day. Site them nearby water features like within the splash-zone of a waterfall. They grow exceptionally well along woodland creeks.
When properly sited, the foliage remains blemish-free season-long. Disease and pest problems are rare if growing conditions are ideal. Deer and rabbits rarely trouble them
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Planting in containers: plant a single crown into a 3 to 5 gallon size container filled with humus-rich potting soil. To restrict most water loss, line the bottom of the container with plastic shopping bags. This reduces irrigation needs that saves on your monthly water bill.

Ligularias For Wet Garden Spots

L. stenocephala 'The Rocket' 

Ligularias (ligs) are big leafy perennials whose roots must be kept constantly moist so that leaves won’t wilt or  "faint". An established plant will tolerate several days in dry soil and the droopy foliage recovers from drought stress each night. Ligs are also called "leopard flower" and several confusing other names (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Some are tropical plants.

Dig a hole large enough to accommodate a 3-5 gallon size container. Line the bottom of the hole with a plastic liner to retain moisture around the roots and reduce the need of irrigation over the hot summer. 

It may take upwards of 3 years to develop the full bold nature of ligs. deadheading of spent flowers will stimulate more new leaves to emerge. 

Pest control is controlling slugs and snails that may devour the leaves, creating a “shot-hole” appearance in the leaves.

Leading Temperate Varieties:

L. stenocephala ‘The Rocket’ -  tall 4-6 feet high narrow spikes of bright-yellow daisy flowers on purplish black stems and jagged-edged green leaves.

L. stenocephala 'Baby Rocket' -  compact 2 1/2 - 3 foot selection above with large, serrated, dark green leaves and a bouquet of mustard-yellow flowers on multiple chocolate stems.

L. dentata ‘Desdemona’ - rounded dark-green leaves with a purple backside. Taller stems appear in midsummer, bearing clusters of bright golden orange 3-3½ inches daisy flowers.

L. dentata 'Britt-Marie Crawford'

L. dentata ‘Orthello’ - large, rounded dark-green leaves with a purple underside; tall 3-4 feet tall floral stems bearing clusters of bright golden orange 3-3½ inches wide daisy flowers in June.

L. dentata 'Britt-Marie Crawford' -  large, glossy, purple-black leaves and bold daisy-like orange-yellow flowers.