Ligularia 'Britt-Marie Crawford'

Ligularia 'Britt-Marie Crawford': Chocolate Leaves with Late Orange Daisies

This ligularia has glossy leaves the colour of dark chocolate, and it keeps them that way all season with no touch-ups. Golden-orange daisies on dark stems finish the look. THE SHADE GARDEN JUST GOT A MAKEOVER.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Ligularia dentata 'Britt-Marie Crawford'
• Common Name: Bigleaf Ligularia, also called leopard plant
• Height: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft) in bloom
• Spread: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Flowers: Golden-orange daisies with dark centres, held on dark stems above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Late summer (August to September)
• Foliage: Large, rounded, toothed leaves in a glossy, deep chocolate-purple that stays dark all season
• Features: Handles wet soil and pondside planting
• Plant Patent: USPP 16,113

Where to Plant: Use it as a bold focal point in a damp, shady bed, beside a pond or stream, or in a low spot where water collects. It also works as the tall centrepiece of a large container, as long as you water it faithfully.

Companion Plants: Cimicifuga 'Atropurpurea' rises to 150 to 180 cm behind the Ligularia and sends up white flowers from August to October. Astilbe 'Diamond' adds feathery white plumes at 75 to 80 cm from June to August, a fine texture beside the bold leaves. In front, Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds' brings blue flowers in April and May, well before the orange daisies arrive. All three thrive in shade or part sun with steady moisture.

Plant Care: Plant it in rich soil that stays consistently moist. This is the key to happy ligularia. In dry soil or hot afternoon sun, the big leaves wilt dramatically by mid-afternoon, then perk up in the evening. Give it shelter from afternoon sun and water deeply during dry spells. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture. Slugs like the leaves, so keep an eye out in wet springs. Cut spent flower stems after blooming, and cut the foliage back in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the clump gets crowded.

History: James Crawford found this plant in 2001 in a garden in Fife, Scotland, as a seedling of the older ligularia 'Othello', and named it after his late wife for its unusually dark, glossy leaves. Ligularia dentata itself is native to China and Japan, where it grows in damp places.

Final Thoughts: Wet corner by the pond? Soggy spot nobody wants? Hand it over. THIS PLANT LIVES FOR DAMP DRAMA.