Leopard plant thrives in the shade – by Steve Huddleston
Here’s a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial grown primarily for its bold-textured leaves. Depending on the variety, those leaves can be large (to 12 in. and larger in diameter), round, and glossy, or they may have ruffled edges or even yellow spots (hence the common name of the plant).
It’s evergreen in milder climates, but its leaves will die to the ground when temperatures fall below 20F. And it blooms in the winter for a novel look in the landscape, although some gardeners prefer to trim the flower stalks off to keep the blooms from distracting from the spectacular foliage.
Leopard plants require dappled to full shade. Their foliage will burn if they’re planted in excessive sun or if the plants are allowed to get dry. However, given good basic care, they make an excellent substitute for hostas in Texas because they’re more tolerant of our summer heat and humidity.
Their ideal soil mix is one that drains well, is kept medium-moist, and that is enriched with generous amounts of organic matter. The planting beds should be mulched with an organic mulch such as shredded hardwood to conserve moisture.
Group or mass-plant your leopard plants in moist areas of shade or woodland gardens, in borders, or along streams, ponds, pools, or in bog gardens.
Use leopard plants for textural interest, especially where they can be combined with fine-textured ferns, sedges (Carex spp., particularly the cultivar ‘Feather Falls,’ which has leaves edged in ivory), mondograss, and ajuga. A single specimen planted beside a large boulder makes a striking statement.
Here’s what you’ll need to know…
• Common name: Leopard plant.
• Scientific name: Farfugium japonicum, with cultivars including giganteum (large leaves), ‘Cispatum’ (ruffled edges to leaves), and aureomaculatum (yellow spots on green leaves).
• Plant Family: Asteraceae, or the aster/daisy family.
• Native home: Japan and eastern Asia.
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7a-9b, which covers most of Texas.
• Mature plant size: 2-3 ft. tall and wide.
• Growing conditions: Must have shade from 8-9AM on through rest of day, or total shade. Moist, highly organic garden soil 12 in. deep.
• Best landscape uses: Stunning contrast due to its very bold textures. Effective in groupings and sweeps. Can be used as single large landscape clump beside a focal point in garden.
• Propagated: By division or, with more difficultly and no assurance of outcome, from seed.
• Pest problems: Slugs and snails may feed. Damage will be obvious on the large leaves, so apply a snail/slug bait on ground as soon as you see first evidence.
• Wildlife: Resistant to damage from deer and rabbits.
• Availability: Often seen at better independent retail garden centers in spring. Many different cultivars are available for sale through Plant Delights Nursery, Inc. at www.plantdelights.com.