Ligularia japonica Rising Sun - Leopard Plant

Ligularia japonica 'Rising Sun' is a variety of Ligularia with spectacular dissected foliage, surprisingly rare in cultivation. It develops very large palmate leaves, deeply incised and lobed. A visually impressive plant, it grows easily in shade or partial shade in moist soil. Between June and August, it is adorned with yellow daisy-like flowers borne above the foliage, highly appreciated by pollinators. A deciduous perennial plant, robust and of a large size, loving dampness.  This Ligularia is a structural and luxuriant plant, with a beautiful effect in the shaded and moist areas of the garden.

Ligularia japonica, is native to Japan and belongs to the large family of Asteraceae. 'Rising Sun' gradually forms a spectacular clump of very large dissected leaves in spring and reaches a height of 1 to 1.50 meters (3 to 5 feet) with a width of 1 metre (3 feet). Deeply incised, its relatively dark green leaves are very incised and form long finger-like lobes. Between June-July and August-September, corymbs or inflorescences, which we call flowers, bloom. Each head, 5-6 cm (2in) wide, is composed of a row of ligules of a bright yellow colour with an orange base, organized in a collar around a central disc that is more brown. It blooms at the top of tall red and branched stems, with an orange bud. The deciduous vegetation of the Ligularia disappears in winter and regrows again in spring.

Plant Ligularia Rising Sun in moist, rich, deep, neutral to acidic soil. Of great longevity, vigorous and cold-resistant, this Ligularia prefers partial shade, even complete shade. This plant cannot tolerate lack of water and adapts very well to clay soils, if they are humus rich and not waterlogged. It appreciates pond borders or very moist areas of the garden. For example, associate it with hostas, loosestrifes, and purple loosestrifes to decorate the edges of water features. Also consider rodgersias, astilbes, black iris. It sometimes naturalises where the soil is permanently wet, protected from the burning rays of the sun. It is a good plant to embellish a shaded area, on the north side of the house. Forming an imposing, dense, and compact mass, its magnificent foliage creates a sensation in the garden.