As a Ligularia, our growth is not a constant, year-round sprint but a deliberate and seasonal marathon, deeply tied to the rhythms of the earth. Our annual cycle begins in early to mid-spring when the soil temperature warms sufficiently. You will first see our thick, succulent crowns push through the soil, unfurling our often large, rounded or kidney-shaped leaves. This initial leaf production is a period of rapid investment. We are building our photosynthetic factories—our leaves—to capture as much energy as possible from the spring sun. This phase can feel quite swift, with a mature clump achieving nearly its full foliage size within 4 to 6 weeks of breaking dormancy.
Our vertical growth rate is best described as moderate. We are not a fleeting annual that rockets skyward in a single season, nor are we a glacially slow specimen. In a single growing season, under ideal conditions, a well-established Ligularia plant can increase its overall height and spread by several inches. A young plant started from a division might take 2 to 3 full growing seasons to reach its mature size, which for many of us, like the popular 'The Rocket' variety, can be an impressive 4 to 5 feet tall when in flower. Our focus is on building a strong, resilient clump rather than racing upwards.
You must understand that our growth rate is not guaranteed; it is a direct negotiation with our environment. Three factors are non-negotiable for us to achieve our growth potential. Firstly, we require constant moisture. Our large, soft leaves transpire vast amounts of water, and without consistently damp, even wet soil, our growth will stall dramatically, and we will wilt in protest. Secondly, while we need energy from the sun, we despise baking in it. Dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. Full sun, especially hot afternoon sun, will scorch our leaves, severely stunting our growth and causing us immense stress. Finally, we are heavy feeders. Rich, humusy soil amended with compost provides the nutrients we need to support our substantial leaf mass and flower spikes.
After establishing our leafy base through late spring and early summer, we direct our energy towards reproduction. By mid to late summer, we send up our famous flower spikes. This is a significant energy expenditure. The growth of these sturdy stalks, adorned with daisy-like yellow or orange flowers, represents the climax of our annual growth cycle. Once flowering concludes, our growth rate slows considerably. We begin to channel energy back down into our crowns and roots, preparing for winter dormancy. In autumn, our foliage will often die back after a frost, and we will rest completely until the warmth of next spring stirs us to begin again.
