Common Name: leopard plant
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Asia, eastern Europe
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Heavy Shade, Wet Soil
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist to wet, well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. Soils should not be allowed to dry out and plants benefit from regular, deep waterings in hot summers. Hardy in Zones 3-8. Prefers climates with cool summers and may grow poorly in climates with hot, humid summers.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ligularia sibirica, commonly known as Siberian ligularia, is a herbaceous perennial native to a variety of mesic habitats including swamps, moist meadows, fens, and stream banks in northern Eurasia. Mature clumps will reach 1-4' tall with a similar spread. Basal rosettes of ovate-cordate to reniform-cordate or broadly cordate leaves emerge from stout rhizomes. Upright stems bear terminal spike-like inflorescences of yellow composite flowers from mid-summer to early fall. The clusters of small, yellow fertile florets are surrounded by bright yellow, narrow ray florets and subtended by often purplish red tinged bracts.
Genus name comes from the Latin word ligula meaning strap in reference to the shape of the ray flowers.
The specific epithet sibirica means "from Siberia", in reference to the native range of this species.
The common name Siberian ligularia refers to the native range of this species.
Problems
Slugs and snails can significantly damage the foliage. Even with adequate moisture, leaf wilting usually occurs in hot summer climates, particularly when the plant is exposed to too much sun.
Uses
Group or mass in moist or wet areas of shade or woodland gardens. Particularly effective along streams, ponds, pools or bog gardens. Excellent specimen for the shaded border as long as soil moisture requirements can be met.