Wednesday, October 1, 2014

ABC Wednesday - L is Ligularia

Several years ago, Jim, of Pat and Jim's Gardening Adventures , sent me some Ligularia dentata seeds (I believe, 'Othello').  I stratified them over the winter in homemade greenhouses made from gallon milk jugs (click for the post).

During year number one, they were tiny seedlings needing nurturing.  After the past two years' DROUGHT-filled summers, this year's rainfall has been a blessing! They loved the extra moisture and they all grew beautifully and bloomed!

 As evidenced below.



As the flowers began to emerge, they looked like this!

And finally, like this!!




Just beautiful, don't you think?
However, I've been warned... and I see evidence... that they re-seed Very Easily.
Want some seeds?  Send me an e-mail with your address!

Below we have Ligularia 'The Rocket'
This fellow really struggled last year... as ligularia desire good, rich Moist soil.  This year, he did okay and did flower, but it wasn't the show seen in the photo above (taken in 2011).


Two weeks ago, I planted Ligularia 'Bottle Rocket.'  He desires a little more sunlight, which he will get.  He is supposed to grow 28-34" tall - photo of the plant below.  We were gone last week.  We didn't get the rain predicted, so the plant was pretty "sad looking" when I peeked at it this morning.  A good watering and little rainfall improved its outlook.  :-)




One more "L" photo - representing two more "L" words!  
Leaf Litter!  
It is now October 1, and Autumn leaves are beginning to fall!  Hmmmm.

FYI:  If you would like to enjoy ABC Wednesday posts by others, please follow This Link.
 
If these leaves continue to fall, it won't be Shady around here much longer!  ;-)
SG

16 comments:

SamuraiFrog said...

Beautiful! I like the way the yellow stands out against the green. And I love tall flowers! Thanks for sharing them!

SamuraiFrog
ABCW

Reader Wil said...

That yellow colour brightens up the whole world!
I see that your hostas are still undamaged. Mine are eaten by the slugs and snails in my garden.
Thanks for your comment.
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.

Shady Gardener said...

Thanks for your visit Samurai Frog! I, too, am cheered by those beautiful plants!!

Shady Gardener said...

I agree, Reader Wil. They are very showy in shady areas!! Slugs and snails... a bane in the hosta world! After two years' drought, perhaps the slugs and snails gave up around here. ;-) Perhaps after this year, they may return? (Hope not!)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Another flower I have seen before, but never known the name. Very pretty!

Roger Owen Green said...

It IS lovely.

ROG, ABCW

Ann said...

Oh we have so MUCH leaf litter from the walnut tree!!! It is beautiful though.
Ann

Su-sieee! Mac said...

The flowers look like stars. I like how big their leaves are. Do you think they'd grow in California? We're experiencing severe drought right now.

Rose said...

I just saw both 'Othello' and 'Desdemon' in bloom at a garden center a couple of weeks ago, and they were indeed beautiful and striking. I'd love to have one of each, just because of their names, but the place where I want them is in too much sun.

I just noticed yesterday how many leaves were already on the ground--and the trees have barely started to turn color!

troutbirder said...

Interest plant and post. Anything that does ok in shade works for me. As to leaf litter here on Oak Hill we have plenty of that...:)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Terri, This is what garden blogging is all about... another educational setting in which we can all learn from each other! :-)

Shady Gardener said...

Thanks, Roger! I appreciate your visits.

Shady Gardener said...

Ann, I see you are in Kansas City. No wonder leaves are falling! :-)

Shady Gardener said...

Susie Mac, If you have shady spots, you could perhaps try ligularia. They do like moist soil. They will let you know when they are unhappy... talk about wilt! ;-) I would be happy to send you some seeds, if you'd like to try!

Shady Gardener said...

Rose, I am hopeful that I can do some raking of these early fallen leaves tomorrow. I'd like to try to keep ahead of them this year, but being already in October, I have a sneaking suspicion they may ALL turn color and fall at once! ;-) Happy Fall!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi, Troutbirder! I don't doubt you have plenty of leaf litter!! And I'm sure it's beginning in Earnest, right now!

Thanks for your visit!! :-) Happy Fall!