Golden Groundsel

Ligularia dentata Britt Marie Crawford

• Position: full sun with some midday shade
• Soil: fertile, moist soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy

  
  Ligularia dentata are prized as much for their exotic foliage as for their flowers. In spring, large, heart-shaped, glossy, chocolate-maroon leaves with dark purple undersides appear, turning green as they mature. In summer, clusters of orange-yellow daisy-like flowers open above the foliage. This is an exciting new variety that is ideal for a moist, sunny border or bog garden, or beside water. It needs protection from strong midday sun.
  

• Garden care: Protect the young shoots from slug damage using beer traps or environmentally-friendly slug pellets. The plant must be kept moist; line the plant hole with plastic, making a couple of holes in the plastic for drainage. Water regularly during periods of drought. Lift and divide large clumps in spring or after flowering. Apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost in spring.