Ligularia

Sunset

Zones A2, A3, 1-9, 14-17, 32, 34, 36-41

Partial

Ample, Moderate

Asteraceae (Compositae)
Perennials

Stately perennials from China and Japan. These form 3-ft.-wide clumps of large leaves topped by daisy-type flowers in yellow to orange. All need rich soil and plenty of moisture; they do not tolerate heat or low humidity. Best with morning or afternoon sun and midday shade; or with dappled shade all day. The more sun they get, the more water they need. Good around pools, along stream beds, in bog gardens.

Ligularia dentata

Grown primarily for big, attractive leaves (to more than a foot across), roundish with heart-shaped base. In midsummer to early fall, sends up 3- to 5-ft. stems topped by large, branching heads of 4-in.-wide, orange-yellow daisies.

Ligularia stenocephala ‘The Rocket’

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Ligularia stenocephala

Especially stunning flower spikes. Usually represented by variety ‘The Rocket‘, which forms a large clump of foot-wide, irregularly toothed leaves topped by tall (up to 5-ft.), narrow, dark-stemmed spires bearing many 1 1/2-in. yellow daisies in summer.