Ligularia 'Pandora'

Ligularia 'Pandora': Big-Leaf Drama, Pint-Sized

Open the box called 'Pandora' and out comes a leaf colour show. Glossy foliage emerges deep purple, ages to olive and flashes burgundy underneath. THE ONLY BOX YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU OPENED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Ligularia dentata 'Pandora'
• Common Name: Dwarf Ligularia, also called leopard plant
• Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)
• Spread: 50 cm (20 in)
• Flowers: Yellow-orange daisies in clusters on reddish stems above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Rounded, toothed, glossy leaves with burgundy undersides. They emerge deep purple and age to olive green by midsummer.
• Features: Compact and slow-growing

Where to Plant: It fits places full-size ligularias can't: the front of a shade border, small city gardens, pond edges and containers with moist soil. Its changing leaf colour keeps a shady bed interesting from spring into summer.

Companion Plants: Plant compact 'Pandora' in a moist, shady bed with raspberry lungwort, salmon astilbe and a golden-scaled fern. Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' opens raspberry-pink flowers at 30 to 35 cm in April and May. Astilbe 'Delft Lace' adds salmon-pink plumes over dark leaves at 65 to 80 cm in July and August. Dryopteris affinis rises behind at 60 to 120 cm with arching, deep green fronds. Carex 'Ice Dance' edges the bed with white-edged blades at 30 cm.

Plant Care: Plant it in fertile soil that stays reliably moist. It handles clay and loam. Shelter it from hot afternoon sun and drying wind, or the leaves will wilt and scorch. Water during dry spells and mulch to keep the roots cool. Slugs like it as much as you do, so watch for them in wet weather. No pruning needed beyond cutting off old flower stems. Clear the withered foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring or after flowering if you want more.

History: Ligularia dentata is native to China and Japan and is the parent species of most dark-leaved bigleaf ligularias, and 'Pandora' is one of the compact modern selections bred for smaller gardens. The genus name comes from the Latin for strap, after the shape of the petals.

Final Thoughts: Compact and slow-growing, it fits a small, moist, shady spot with zero fuss. Go ahead and lift the lid. TROUBLE NOT INCLUDED.