Ligularia dentata 'MIDNIGHT LADY'

Ligularia is probably too beautiful to worry about its common name. There are so many of them such as leopard plant, golden groundsel, ray flower, ragwort, even tractor seat, and still mostly everybody calls it ligularia. This species comes from China where it is found in ditches, wet meadows, along water streams and woodland margins with enough moisture and deep, fertile soil.

Midnight Lady is a chance seedling variety of ligularia with dark foliage and glowing flowers. It makes up to 25 cm wide, rounded to kidney shaped, deep mahogany purple-brown leaves that are serrated at margins and rise atop sturdy stems of the same colour. From midsummer open 4-5 cm wide, rich golden yellow, daisy-like flowers. They dramatically contrast with the dark foliage colour and provide a cheerful feeling in late summer. Plants grow some 60-100 cm tall, conditions pending, and look great combined with fine-leaved perennials of lighter colours.

Ligularia loves moist and wet sites. Use it along riverbanks, at ponds and garden lakes, or grow it in a common border which will be regularly irrigated since the soil must never dry out. Dark-leaved varieties demand full sun for the deepest foliage colour but withstand partial shade where most bottom leaves will lose purple-brown shades. Provide some protection from slugs and snails which love its thick leaves. Hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 23-10-2022