Ligularia dentata

‘Midnight Lady’

BLACK LEOPARD PLANT

Ligularia dentata ‘Midnight Lady’

Ligularia dentata ‘Midnight Lady’ is a marvellous foliage plant for shade.

Spectacular large shiny purple-black foliage

‘Midnight Lady’ forms a mound of large, rounded, midnight-dark, shiny, purple-black leaves.
With rich purple undersides and plum stems.
And the large scalloped leaves flash their undersides with every ripple of breeze – so there is nothing deadly black about this spectacular foliage mound.

Bold statement for shade gardens & pots

Making a very bold statement in a shaded garden or pot.
The foliage mound is approx. 75cm. high x approx. 75cm. While the flower stems are held well clear above, and stand up to 90cm. tall in summer.

Showy flower heads in summer on tall stems

Large heads of sunshine-gold rayed daisies shine in the shade during summer.
And contrast superbly with the dark foliage, as they display well clear above the mound.
But for me – the foliage mound is the true value of  ‘Midnight lady’.
She puts the wow factor into my shaded areas with those dramatic leaves.

Cut flowers & foliage for floristry

So I don’t mind harvesting the flower heads for summer vases.
Clustered golden heads are also borne on long, thick plum stems, and the large daisy flowers last well in a vase.
Plus they are so easy to harvest and prepare for arrangements.

3 large leaves are also a perfect vase arrangement

The dramatic leaves are also wonderful vase specimens, and set off any colour flowers you care to add.
Just 3 picked leaves, on their long stems, make a bold setting and fill a vase.

Plant in part to deep shade

Ligularia dentata ‘Midnight Lady’ is best planted in part to full shade positions, where she thrives and dazzles.
Morning sun is acceptable in cool districts, but she droops and sulks in hot afternoon sun.

Tolerates damp spots if needed

While Ligularia dentata ‘Midnight Lady’ is perfectly happy in average garden soil, she purrs with the addition of mulch and organic matter, or if planted in clay soil.
Ether alkaline or acid soil pH is accepted.
She also grows to awe-inspiring  size beside a shaded stream, pond or dam; and relishes a poorly drained spot.

Frost hardy, disease free & low maintenance

Ligularia are robustly frost hardy perennial plants – so they will delight you for many years.
The only real maintenance is to
* mulch for summer to keep the thick roots cool
* then if you live in a cold, frosty winter area – the foliage will have a dramatic autumn colour change and you can cut the clump back to ground level at the end of autumn.
Though the clump will remain in foliage in mild winter areas.
* Protect from slugs and snails in early spring when the gorgeously coloured new leaves are emerging.

Nectar rich daisy flowers attract bees & butterflies

The showy summer blooms are also a boon to bees, pollinators and butterflies, as well as florists.
But for me – it is all about the gorgeous foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow seeds of Ligularia dentata ‘Midnight Lady’ during autumn, winter or early spring, as they benefit from cooler temperatures,
Indoors whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (15-18°C are ideal)

Sow indoors for more rapid germination & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet / pot, on the surface of good quality potting mix.

Then gently pat the seeds to the surface of the mix, but do not cover.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the punnet in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate to the surface of the mix from below.

Give a pretend winter

Then wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 6-8 weeks.
This will mimic the chilling effect of winter. The seeds need chilling to break their natural dormancy.
(Or alternatively you can mix the seeds with a little damp sand / seed raising mix, in a plastic bag and place this in the fridge for chilling. This is a good trick if space is limited. Then you sow the whole bag full in a punnet after the 6-8 weeks chilling).

Now remove from the fridge and thoroughly re-moisten the punnet by standing in the shallow water-bath again.
Cover with or a clear plastic lid or bag to retain consistent moisture.
These seeds germinate best when kept consistently moist.

Then place in a cool, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
Temperatures of 15-18°C are ideal for optimum germination.

Maintain consistent moisture by misting the mix with a spray water-bottle and covering with a clear cover.

Seeds begin to sprout in 14-42 days. So do not discard the punnet too quickly, as it is natural for these seeds to stagger their germination as a safety device.
Remove the cover once germination has started, and continue to keep consistently moist.

Transplant seedlings individually to small pots as soon as they have developed their first set of true leaves.
And grow on until large enough to plant pout into the garden in spring / summer.

Seed Count: 50 seeds per pack.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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