Deer resistant: yes 🦌
Moisture: needs consistently moist soil
Size: 36” H x 24” W
Bloom: Spikes of small yellow daisy-like flowers in mid July on dark stems
Hardiness zone: 4
Ligularias are a diverse species and underappreciated plants in the perennial garden. Ligularias produce basal mounds of uniquely attractive, large-leaf foliage, varying from triangular to rounded leaves, from medium green to inky black. In late summer, erect stems produce long flower spikes or clusters of daisy-like flowers that range from bright yellow to yellow-orange. Ligularias delight both with their foliage and bloom, and are never boring. The triangular-leaf Ligularias have a habit of looking sadly droopy in direct sun, to the point that they look like they might die any moment. As soon as the sun goes away, plants perk right back up as if nothing had happened. This will happen even if you keep plants positively soggy wet. It’s just part of their personality, Don’t worry about it and enjoy them as they are. The broad-leaf Ligularias do not show this behavior, and seem to be a little more resistant to sun or drier periods. Deer have never bothered our Ligularias.
Ligularia ‘Bottle Rocket’ is a dwarf Ligularia with large triangular, toothed leaves like Ligularia stenocephala, and spikes of yellow flowers in July. 'Bottle Rocket' has thicker, sturdier leaves than Ligularia stenocephala, and better drooping resistance in direct sun than its parent. This is the most sun-tolerant triangular-leafed or spike-flowered Ligularia.