Ligularia

The genus Ligularia has about 150 species of not very stable perennial herbaceous plants, close to the genus Senecio, from which it was recently isolated by botanists. Ligularia is characterized by paniculate inflorescences with elongated narrow reed flowers and darker tubular ones. Individual herbaceous specimens of this genus can reach considerable heights (up to 2 m). The ideal habitat for them is wet, shaded areas. Ligularia dentata (L. clivorum, or L. dentata) is a shrub up to 1.5 m tall with large heart-shaped, serrated edges, dark green leaves above, purple leaves below, and bright orange-yellow inflorescences. Among the varieties of considerable interest are: 'Desdemona' with large purple leaves and bright orange flowers; 'Othello' leaves are purple below, and the flowers are lighter bright orange; the variety 'Waihenstephan' has large leaves and golden-yellow inflorescences. Ligularia przewalskii is a shrub up to 1.5 m tall, with deeply dissected basal leaves and small yellow flowers collected in narrow long racemes up to 90 cm long. In cultivars of much smaller height (50-60 cm), the flowers are sometimes bright orange. Blooms from July to autumn. Siberian ligularia (L. sibirica) is characterized by a non-branching pubescent stem, heart-shaped urban basal and sessile stem leaves; in the upper part of the plant, the leaves are smaller and narrower. There are a lot of yellow inflorescences, they can also be purple. Narrow-headed Ligularia (L. stenocephala) is a species up to 1.5 m high. It has dark purple stems, large basal leaves and many yellow-colored flowers gathered in long panicles pointing upwards. Ligularia veitchiana (L. veitchiana) - a species up to 2 m tall, with large triangular leaves and golden-yellow flowers collected in long dense racemes. Blooms late, in August-September. Wilson's ligularia (L. wilsoniana) is very similar to Veitch's ligularia, but with smaller leaves and more branched panicles.

The genus Ligularia has about 150 species of not very stable perennial herbaceous plants, close to the genus Senecio, from which it was recently isolated by botanists. Ligularia is characterized by paniculate inflorescences with elongated narrow reed flowers and darker tubular ones. Individual herbaceous specimens of this genus can reach considerable heights (up to 2 m). The ideal habitat for them is wet, shaded areas.

Ligularia dentata (L. clivorum, or L. dentata) is a shrub up to 1.5 m tall with large heart-shaped, serrated edges, dark green leaves above, purple leaves below, and bright orange-yellow inflorescences. Among the varieties of considerable interest are: 'Desdemona' with large purple leaves and bright orange flowers; 'Othello' leaves are purple below, and the flowers are lighter bright orange; the variety 'Waihenstephan' has large leaves and golden-yellow inflorescences.

Ligularia przewalskii is a shrub up to 1.5 m tall, with deeply dissected basal leaves and small yellow flowers collected in narrow long racemes up to 90 cm long. In cultivars of much smaller height (50-60 cm), the flowers are sometimes bright orange. Blooms from July to autumn.

Siberian ligularia (L. sibirica) is characterized by a non-branching pubescent stem, heart-shaped urban basal and sessile stem leaves; in the upper part of the plant, the leaves are smaller and narrower. There are a lot of yellow inflorescences, they can also be purple.

Narrow-headed Ligularia (L. stenocephala) is a species up to 1.5 m high. It has dark purple stems, large basal leaves and many yellow-colored flowers gathered in long panicles pointing upwards.

Ligularia veitchiana (L. veitchiana) - a species up to 2 m tall, with large triangular leaves and golden-yellow flowers collected in long dense racemes. Blooms late, in August-September.

Wilson's ligularia (L. wilsoniana) is very similar to Veitch's ligularia, but with smaller leaves and more branched panicles.

Cultivation

Ligularia is grown in the open ground in the garden, along the banks of ponds and flowing reservoirs. The soil should be moist, deep (the plant has a strongly developed root system), cultivated. When planting, organic fertilizers are applied (5-7 kg /m2). They are planted in a permanent place more often in spring, you can fall at a distance of 50-60 cm to 1-1. 5 m from each other, depending on the species. If the land is not very fertile, then in spring and summer, once a month, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20 g per bucket.

Ligularia is grown in the open ground in the garden, along the banks of ponds and flowing reservoirs. The soil should be moist, deep (the plant has a strongly developed root system), cultivated. When planting, organic fertilizers are applied (5-7 kg /m2). They are planted in a permanent place more often in spring, you can fall at a distance of 50-60 cm to 1-1. 5 m from each other, depending on the species. If the land is not very fertile, then in spring and summer, once a month, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20 g per bucket.

Location

Plants of the genus Ligularia are light-loving, but grow well in partial shade; in very wet places, they also tolerate open sun.

Temperature

This plant prefers mild climates, but in a place protected from cold winds, they can also be grown in moderately cold climates.

Watering

A moisture-loving plant, especially Siberian ligularia needs frequent and abundant watering.

Care

Remove withered flowers and yellowed or damaged leaves.

Reproduction

Sowing seeds can be done in early spring (under glass or in a greenhouse) or in May-June (immediately in the ground), and then thin out the shoots. Also apply the division of the rhizome in the spring. The resulting parts are immediately planted in the ground. Without division, ligularia can grow for a long time.

Diseases

If the relative humidity of the air and soil is too high, fungi of the genus Botrytis cause rotting of leaves and flowers. Remove the affected parts and regulate watering. Among the pests, aphids often annoy, which causes yellowing and deformation of leaves and shoots. They get rid of them with the help of drugs against this insect. A spider mite attack is possible in an environment that is too dry. Because of it, red or yellowish specks appear. They get rid of the pest by treating it with acaricides and increasing air humidity - they spray the plants with water.

Acquisition

Seeds are easily found in gardening centers. Check the expiration date on the package when buying, which will guarantee their germination. Potted seedlings of varieties and hybrids can be purchased at flower nurseries. Buy healthy, well-formed plants.