From the Magazine: Far-Out Farfugiums
Given regular watering, a variety of farfugiums like these can fill a shady area with fantastic foliage. Large, shiny mottled leaves are among the characteristics that make spotted leopard plant (F. japonica ‘Aureomaculatum’) the author’s favorite farfugium. All photos by Mary Wilhite.
Far-Out Farfugiums
These spectacular foliage plants are shade-garden stars
Living in the woods, with a yard starved for sun, I am always on the lookout for shade-loving plants to provide color, texture or other interest in my landscape. Once while walking through the shade gardens at the Tyler Rose Garden in early summer, I was stopped in my tracks by a group of lovely foliage plants standing tall and proud, looking fresh even in climbing temperatures. The display included plants with an assortment of round leaves in several colors and textures, all held up on bare stems. I hunted for the tags identifying these fabulous finds.
They were labeled Ligularia, a name that caused me some confusion. I had tried growing Ligularia ‘The Rocket’, with its upright habit, green leaves and yellow flowers, with little success in the past. Even when I provided perfect requirements, shade and moisture, it had shriveled up and died in the heat of summer. So I was surprised to find this group by the same name looking perky in the heat. Since then, this group of plants has been reclassified as Farfugium. The plants are mostly lumped into a group with the common name “leopard plants,” after the best-known member of the group.
As well as spectacular leaf coloring and texture, farfugiums provide bright color in the garden in fall. Tall stalks rise above the foliage, and golden yellow, daisy-like flowers appear in clusters, blooming for several weeks.
Farfugiums make great perennials for shady gardens in Texas as long as they have rich soil and regular water. They tolerate some drought, but lose the luster of their leaves and hang their heads when dry. I use them as the moisture-indicator in my garden — when they droop, it’s time to water.
Spotted Leopard Plant (F. japonicum ‘Aureomaculatum’)
The most common of the farfugiums, and my favorite, spotted leopard plant has shiny green leaves dotted with yellow blotches. Mounds of 8-inch leaves grow 24 inches tall and reach 30 inches wide. In October they are topped with branching stalks of bright yellow flowers. The plants are evergreen during the winter, adding a nice spot of color.
Crested Leopard Plant (F. japonicum ‘Crispatum’)
Unlike other leopard plants with their round, shiny green leaves, crested leopard plant sports matte gray leaves with scalloped, wavy edges, giving it the common names piecrust or parsley farfugium. So unique looking it deserves the description “far-out!”
Crested leopard plant makes a stunning container plant and is evergreen until the temperature falls below 20 degrees F. Combine it with Japanese painted fern, blue fescue or variegated longleaf Asian jasmine for a potted garden that will last for years. Avoid too much fertilizer as this will cause the plant to lose its vigor and attractive appearance.
The thick leaves of giant leopard plant (F. japonicum ‘Giganteum’) can reach up to 14 inches across.
Giant Leopard Plant (F. japonicum ‘Giganteum’)
With 3-foot-tall stems and thick, shiny green leaves up to 14 inches across, this leopard plant lives up to its name. The fall flowers bloom atop 4 foot stems, creating a showy display. This giant likes a bit more morning sun than the other varieties, as well as moist, well-drained soil.
All the different leopard plants offer fantastic foliage for a shady area, growing more vigorously than hostas in our climate. Although they like regular watering, they do not tolerate wet feet, so make sure the soil drains well where they are planted. Placed in pots, they can be brought inside for the winter and treated as houseplants.