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BogsHerbaceous Perennial

Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona'

leopard plant 'Desdemona'

'Desdemona' is a robust herbaceous perennial to 1m in height, with large rounded bronze-tinted leaves, deep purple beneath. Orange daisies 10cm in width, are borne in flat-topped clusters in late summer and early autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Bronze Green Purple
Summer Orange Bronze Green Purple
Autumn Orange Bronze Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Ligularia are robust herbaceous perennials, with large, often attractively lobed leaves and yellow or orange, daisy-like flower-heads in terminal racemes or branching clusters

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun but with some shelter from midday sun. Protect from strong drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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