Ligularia dentata ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ is a striking perennial known for its dramatic foliage and vibrant blooms. It features large, rounded leaves that are a deep chocolate-maroon to purple-black, often with contrasting beetroot-red undersides. In mid to late summer, it produces bold clusters of bright orange-yellow, daisy-like flowers above the dark foliage. Companion planting enhances a garden’s growth, health, and aesthetic appeal by strategically placing different plant species together.
Ligularia Britt-Marie Crawford Growing Requirements
Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ thrives in rich, humusy, and consistently moist to wet soil that drains well. It is not tolerant of dry spells, and its leaves may wilt in hot summer climates. Amending native soil with organic material and mulching helps retain moisture.
For optimal growth, Ligularia performs best in partial to full shade, requiring protection from hot afternoon sun. Dappled afternoon shade often provides the best balance, allowing the foliage to maintain its deep coloration. This perennial is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9.
Choosing Companion Plants
Selecting companion plants for Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ involves considering both shared environmental needs and aesthetic compatibility. Ideal companions should thrive in partial to full shade and prefer consistently moist, well-draining soil, similar to Ligularia. Plants that tolerate wet soil conditions are particularly suitable.
Aesthetic compatibility involves selecting plants with complementary colors, varying textures, and different heights. Ligularia’s dark foliage provides a backdrop for brighter green, silver, or variegated leaves. Fine, lacy, or upright textures create dynamic contrast. Varying plant heights builds layers and structure.
Recommended Companion Plants
Hostas are a classic choice for companion planting with Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ due to their shared preference for shade and moist soil. Their diverse range of leaf shapes, sizes, and variegations offers striking textural and color contrasts. Hostas with bright chartreuse or blue-green leaves, or those with white or yellow variegation, can visually pop against the deep purple-black of Ligularia. Their mounding habit also complements the upright structure of the Ligularia’s flower spikes.
Astilbes are another excellent companion, providing feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or purple that contrast beautifully with the Ligularia’s bold leaves. Their delicate, upright flower spikes and fern-like foliage offer a fine texture that complements the broad leaves of the Ligularia. Varieties like ‘Red Fanal’ or ‘White Gloria’ can create vibrant focal points.
Various ferns also make suitable companions, contributing a delicate, lacy texture that contrasts with the Ligularia’s leathery leaves. Lady Fern, Cinnamon Fern, and Royal Fern are good options. Ferns can create a verdant, naturalistic underplanting or backdrop for the Ligularia.
Hakonechloa macra, or Japanese forest grass, is a graceful ornamental grass that forms cascading mounds of bright green or variegated foliage. Its fine texture and arching habit provide a soft, flowing contrast to the Ligularia’s sturdy form. Golden varieties can introduce a bright color accent in shadier spots.
Sedges (Carex species) offer another group of versatile companions. These grass-like plants provide fine to medium textures and come in various shades of green, gold, or blue-green. Some sedges, like Palm Sedge or Golden Sedge, have distinctive forms. They can be used to create a naturalistic groundcover or to define edges in the garden.
Designing Your Garden with Ligularia
Creating a visually appealing garden with Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ and its companions involves thoughtful arrangement. Layering plants by height helps to build depth and interest, with taller Ligularia acting as a focal point or background element. Medium-height companions like Astilbes can be placed in front, while lower-growing Hostas or Sedges can form the foreground.
Combining different textures is another important design principle. The bold leaves of Ligularia provide an anchor, contrasting with delicate fern fronds, feathery astilbe plumes, or fine sedge blades. Considering color palettes, the dark foliage of Ligularia allows for vibrant contrasts with plants featuring bright greens, silvers, or variegated patterns. Flowers with yellow, orange, or cool-toned blooms enhance visual impact.
Considering bloom times ensures continuous interest throughout the growing season. While Ligularia blooms in mid to late summer, selecting companions that flower in spring or early summer extends the floral display. This creates a dynamic garden with appeal from spring through fall.