Ligularia dentata ‘Desdemona’ (leopard plant)

It is quite a while since I bought this Ligularia from Reighton Nurseries.

As you can see from the leaves, they may be susceptible to slugs & snails, this doesn’t bother me too much, as I collect them & the song thrush, black bird & robin family know which paving slab I put them on & them benefit, choosing to raise their families in the garden  if you look hard enough, you can usually find a silver lining. (And ok, the leaves may resemble sieves more than leaves but at least it is letting light through so I could squeeze another plant below if I run out of room couldn't I, haha? See, a 2nd silver lining, an excuse to buy more plants!)

Ligularia are herbaceous perennials, with yellow/orange, daisy like flower heads, these are in clusters on this variety on thick red, mostly leafless stalks. Dentata means ‘toothed’ , the leaves are dark green / burgundy with a maroon underside. They are leathery & cordate (heart shaped) although you wouldn’t know that from my eaten ones lol . It’s a hard heart that doesn’t love a cordate leaved plant!

It does prefer moist or boggy soil, in sun or partial shade. I’ve moved this several times, (if you’ve followed my page for a while you’ll maybe have read that I change it round regularly like my furniture - this is possibly how I’ve lost the original label), & it seems most happy in the dappled shade under a silver birch where I have it now which stands to reason as they also are suitable for woodland gardens.

I like the shape, the contrast of colours & I think it brings something to the garden that other plants don’t. Whatever my garden, it is a go to plant for me, maybe evokes memories of my childhood, my parents always had one, I don’t know…plants are more than just foliage & flowers aren’t they?

I love plants…hope you’re enjoying my pages, if you are, it would really help if you could:

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@just.me.in.my.garden