From my roots upward, my most critical requirement is water—and plenty of it. I am not a drought-tolerant plant. My large, soft leaves lose moisture rapidly to the air (a process you call transpiration). If my roots are left in dry soil, I will wilt dramatically, becoming a sad, limp version of myself. Even if I recover after watering, the edges of my beautiful leaves may scorch and turn brown as a permanent sign of that stress. Therefore, the perfect spot for me is one where the soil remains consistently moist, even damp, like the edge of a stream or pond. Rich, humusy soil that acts like a sponge is my ideal home.
While I need ample light to produce the energy for my grand foliage and flower spikes, direct, intense sunlight is my adversary, especially during the hottest part of the day. The strong afternoon sun will scorch my leaves, causing unsightly brown patches and compromising my health. The perfect spot offers me respite from this. I thrive in partial to full shade. Dappled sunlight filtering through tree branches is perfect, or a location that receives gentle morning sun but is shaded in the afternoon. In cooler, northern climates, I can tolerate a bit more sun, but only if my soil moisture needs are never, ever neglected.
You must consider my stature. Some of my varieties, like Ligularia przewalskii, can grow flower spikes up to six feet tall, and all of us have large, sometimes enormous, leaves. This makes me highly susceptible to wind. A gusty location will tatter my leaves and can easily knock over my tall flower scapes. The perfect spot is sheltered. Planting me on the leeward side of a building, a fence, or amongst a group of sturdy shrubs or trees will provide a windbreak that allows my foliage and flowers to stand proud and undamaged.
The ground in which I am planted is my pantry and my anchor. I am a heavy feeder, requiring rich soil to support my rapid growth and large leaf production. I desire soil that is high in organic matter. Amending the planting hole generously with compost or well-rotted manure before I am placed there will make me deeply happy. This organic matter also helps retain the crucial moisture I need. The soil should be well-draining in the sense that it doesn't become waterlogged and suffocate my roots, but it must never be sandy or fast-draining, as those conditions will lead to drought stress.
I do not like to compete aggressively for resources. The perfect spot takes into account the plants you place near me. Ideal companions are those that share my love for moist, shady conditions but do not have aggressively spreading roots that will choke me out. Fellow moisture-lovers like Astilbe, Hostas, Ferns, and Astilbe are excellent neighbors. We can create a lush, textural tapestry together without fighting for water and nutrients. Avoid planting me near thirsty trees with shallow, dense root systems, like Willows or Maples, as they will leave me parched.
