Ligularia 'King Kong' PP29461

Common Name: Bigleaf Ligularia

This part-shade loving perennial has the same dark foliage that gardeners have long admired in ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’, but with leaves nearly twice as big at 16” across. The newest leaves are glossy and black-purple–as the summer progresses the leaves mellow to burgundy purple with a semi-glossy finish. Leaves are thick and leathery, with an undulating leaf edge.

This vigorous plant comes in slightly taller than ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ due to its larger leaves, topping around 3-3½' in our trials. Golden orange, daisy-like flowers top the plant on purple stems in midsummer, extending the height of the plant to 4'. Like most slow-growing Ligularia, this plant will take a few growing seasons to reach its mature height. Leaves are greener in full shade–plant in a site with morning sun for best purple color.

Height:

3.0-4.0 Feet

Spread:

3.0-3.5 Feet

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Orange Shades

Foliage Color:

Purple shades Near-black shades

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Late Summer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Eclectic Rain Garden Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Bog Plant Border Plant Container Cut Foliage Specimen Focal Point

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Ligularias are at their best when grown in cool, moist locations in part shade. Protection from the hot, afternoon sun in the south is essential to prevent wilting. They are a natural for the pond side where there is a constant supply of moisture, though they do require good drainage.

Characteristics