Ligularia x hessei - Leopard Plant

Ligularia x hessei is distinguished by its bushy clump of large, round, shiny green leaves and its bright flowers in erect panicles of large golden yellow heads with brown centres in autumn. It is a perennial native to wet places that thrives in a bright but not scorching exposure in heavy, deep and rich soil, especially where moisture is not lacking! Of large dimensions, it perfectly punctuates the edges of water bodies and provides green borders along shaded paths. In groups, it also forms a dense groundcover.

Ligularia x hessei is a horticultural hybrid belonging to the large family of Asteraceae. In spring this perennial forms a bushy and compact clump reaching 150 cm (59in) in height and 80 cm (32in) in width. The large leaves, approximately 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10in) long, are carried by a long petiole. They are rounded, heart-shaped at the base, with slightly toothed edges. From August to October, pyramidal panicles of heads bloom, which we call flowers and resemble large loose spikes. Each head, 2 to 10 cm (1 to 4in) wide, is composed of a row of ligules in a bright, vivid golden yellow colour, arranged in a collar around a central, darker disk. Oange buds burst open at the top of tall, red and branched stems. The vegetation of the Ligularia disappears in winter and regrows in spring.

Plant Ligularia x hessei in moist, rich, deep, neutral soil. This plant cannot tolerate lack of water and adapts very well to clay soils, if they are humus-rich and not waterlogged. Ligularia hessei can be planted in groups of 3 to 6 plants or as a specimen, for example in pond borders or in very humid areas of the garden. In flower beds and borders, associate it with other flowering plants in warm colours such as crocosmias, cannas, dahlias, roses, and rudbeckias. It sometimes naturalises where the soil is permanently moist, protected from the burning rays of the sun. It is a good plant to enhance a shaded area, on the north side of the house. It also forms a lush groundcover along pathways or in partially shaded edges.