Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray'

Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray': Sunshine for the Shade

Charming and compact, Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray' brightens shady spaces with bold foliage and cheerful golden-yellow blooms. Its heart-shaped green leaves with purplish undersides provide a lush backdrop for upright daisy-like flowers that appear in mid to late summer, drawing pollinators to even the coolest corners of the garden.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, mounding and tidy
• Flower Colour: Golden yellow
• Flowering Period: Midsummer to early fall
• Foliage: Large, heart-shaped green leaves with purple undersides
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil

Uses and Benefits: Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray' is ideal for smaller shade gardens, moist borders, and woodland edges where a bold-textured foliage plant with seasonal colour is needed. Its compact size makes it perfect for foundation plantings or pairing with hostas and ferns, and the bright flowers bring a welcome lift of colour to low-light areas. Loved by pollinators and deer-resistant, it's a dependable and decorative choice for shady retreats.

Companion Plants: Pair Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray' with Hosta 'Autumn Frost', whose frosted blue foliage contrasts beautifully with the ligularia’s golden blooms. Add Astilbe 'Peach Blossom' for soft, airy flowers that echo the warm tones and offer midsummer texture. Tuck in Brunnera 'Queen of Hearts' to introduce broad silver foliage that lights up shady spaces and highlights the ligularia’s vibrant display.

Care Instructions: Grow in part to full shade in moist, organically rich soil. Water regularly, especially during hot spells, to prevent wilting. Mulch to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Remove spent flower stalks for a tidier look, and divide clumps every 3–4 years in spring.

History: Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray' is a compact cultivar of Ligularia dentata, selected for its bold foliage and smaller size. It brings all the drama of larger ligularias in a form that fits beautifully into tighter garden spaces.

Final Thoughts: Radiating golden colour and bold foliage, Ligularia 'Little Golden Ray' is a shade garden gem—compact, charismatic, and full of life.