Ligularia 'Savill Spire'

How to grow ligularias

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 25 February 2019 at 4:17 pm

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Find out all you need to know about growing moisture-loving ligularias, in this detailed Grow Guide.

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Ligularias are great plants for boggy areas in a garden, or near the edge of a pond.

The foliage is a bold feature in its own right and with golden yellow flowers appearing on tall spikes, they're very attractive plants. Ligularias are also very attractive to pollinators. Relatively easy to grow in the right conditions, ligularias will brighten up gardens through the summer.

Discover all you need to know about growing ligularias, below.

Relatively easy to grow in the right conditions, ligularias will brighten up gardens through the summer.

Where to grow ligularias

Ligularia przewalskii growing by a pond

Ligularia clump growing by a pond

Grow ligularias in a sheltered spot in part shade, in damp, moisture-retentive soil. Taller-flowering varieties are perfect for growing towards the back of an ornamental border, although other forms with attractive foliage will benefit from being in a spot where the whole plant is on view.

Video: Monty Don offers advice on choosing the right spot for ligularias.

Planting ligularias

Dig a hole larger than the pot your ligularia came in. Backfill with soil and water in well.

Propagating ligularias

Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Propagate ligularias by division in spring.

Video: Lifting and dividing herbaceous perennials

Ligularias: problem-solving

There are no problems with growing ligularias other than unwanted attention from slugs and snails.

Caring for ligularias

Ligularias growing in a moist border

Ligularias don't need a lot of special care, as long as they're planted where the soil will not dry out. If plants wilt due to lack of moisture, water well to revive them.

Ligularia varieties to grow

Ligularia 'Desdemona'

Ligularia 'Desdemona'

Ligularia przewalskii – puts on a great display of tall yellow flowers from mid to late summer. The foliage is also bold with cut edges. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit
Ligularia stenocephala – the large leaves are broadly triangular with jagged edges. Small yellow flowers appear on tall, dark stems in mid and late summer
'Desdemona' – the large bronze-purple leaves are a real showstopper. Growing to 1m in height with bright, orange, daisy-like flowers appearing in late summer and early autumn
'Othello' – coming into flower a little earlier than 'Desdemona', but otherwise with similar leaves
'Palmatiloba' – the large rounded leaves, with ragged edges, make this quite distinctive. Large yellow flowers appear in summer

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