Have you ever entered someone’s home and after a quick scan of the surroundings, said to yourself “The 90’s called and they want their home décor style back.” Or “Is this house used for filming a TV show that is set in the 80’s?” Or “Shit, that’s a lot of stainless steel.”
If not, you’re a better human than me.
I think you might have a similar thought if you were to walk through my garden. Not that I’ve ever tried to keep up with whatever was in style or the hot look of the moment. I’m not that in tune. But you would witness a ton of dark-leaved shrubs and perennials which may have been the preferred foliage style of a time passed by.
I could go on and on with the pics, but you get the point. I can’t get enough of the darker foliage. It catches my eye at every nursery visit. It makes me stop in my tracks as I leaf through a plant catalog. And I’ve assumed all along that everyone shared this same sentiment.
But maybe many of you have moved on. Maybe it was a trend and I was oblivious to it ending? John, you’re garden is like, so 2008. I honestly don’t know.
And I honestly don’t give a you-know-what.
Give me brown leaves, give me dark red leaves, give me some chocolate leaves. They make me happy.
And this is why I’ve been so frustrated with my Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’.
Quick aside: Has a friend or neighbor or nosy stranger ever asked you the name of a plant in your garden and you hesitated before sharing the name? Do you internally debate how to craft the answer? Do you go with the common name? The botanical name? Do you include the cultivar name like “Britt-Marie Crawford”? If you do include the cultivar name do you state it with confidence or with a hint of embarrassment? I tend to stick to common names so I don’t sound like an elitist but the problem is I don’t know the common names for most plants.
Moving on.
Actually, one more aside, a note on the cultivar name: This plant was first discovered by Britt-Marie Crawford growing in a plot of Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ in Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom. After her death, her husband, James Crawford, took steps to honor his wife by naming the cultivar after her and introducing it into commerce.
Now that is love.
Really moving on this time.
My Leopard plant (yes I had to look the common name up) has lived in at least five locations within my garden since I purchased it on-line years ago. It wasn’t until I found a spot that receives afternoon shade and isn’t visited by the deer that it thrived.
But I didn’t acquire it for the green leaves and yellow flowers. I honestly don’t like yellow flowers all that much. I bought it for that bold red/purplish-black/maroon foliage. I wanted it to be a focal point. And to date, that hasn’t happened.
This is what I wanted to see. This is what I was promised.
And while the leaf shape is fantastic and unique, I still long for that darker shade.
I’ll even trade in the flowers in exchange for my desired leaf color.
Please flood the comments with your experience with this perennial. Super curious to see what you all have to say.
I have been growing Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ for several years and have divided it to other shady areas in my yard. Its leaves aren’t as dark as you probably would like, but I find the dark purple stems and under-leaves very striking. And the bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer add a nice pop to a shady area when other garden flowers have faded.
It appears you received the wrong cultivar (mislabeled) it happens. I grew the plant several years ago and the leaves are dark with purple undersides. I am currently growing another variety, jury is out until I see it this year, second year and if it survived the winter. Worked in the trade for years and Britt Marie is a good. Question, in one of your past photos there was a Waynes Nursery… where is that? Upper Black Eddy PA? Worth a trip?
…maybe it reverts to green?
“Yes” to all (or most of) your questions under “quick aside.” Regarding keeping the garden in a “current” style, I don’t give a “you-know-what” either. Interesting about the Ligularia. I like both varieties (including the bright yellow flowers), but I know it can be frustrating to expect something, and then get something else.
Not enough sun? I know it’s a shade plant, but perhaps it can take more sun in your northern clime than it could, say, here in Georgia. I have a Chamaecyparis that’s supposed to be gold but burns, so I moved it to a shadier spot, and of course, it’s solid green now.
Honestly, I’ve never heard of the Leopard Plant, but I like it because it reminds me a little of the Black Eyed Susan which is Maryland’s state flower. Unfortunately, I haven’t had that great of luck with them, but optimistic and I’m going to try again this year. Fingers crossed. Hopefully, your plant’s leave will miraculously change to a darker tone for you. By the way, your garden looks amazing as always…
I’m happy with any color leaves that survive our challenging climate here in Colorado. Ligularia likes more water than all its neighbors and I don’t know if it will return this year. My Creeping Jenny climbs over it and may have buried the ligularia for the last time.