Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum

Large, evergreen perennial that grows up to 1m wide and 1.5m tall when in flower. Leaves will die to the ground when temperatures fall to -6C.

Large glossy leathery kidney-shaped dark green leaves with yellow daisy flowers bloom in early summer through to early winter.

Prefers full shade to partial shade in moist soil. Protect from strong winds. Foliage will wilt in too much sun. In areas where plants are winter hardy, they are best grown in rich, medium moisture soil. Will tolerate less moisture than many related ligularias.

Always choose healthy, well-grown plants. Plant after autumn rains when the soil is moist and warm. Before planting, ensure that the root ball is saturated and remove the planter pot with minimal disturbance. Trim any broken roots or branches and plant at the same level as in the container. Once planted, press in and water in well. In a border, plants should just touch each other to create a full effect.

The first summer and autumn after planting is critical for young plants; water thoroughly during dry periods. Mulching helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds; organic materials such as sawdust and bark contribute to soil structure as they decompose. Keep mulching material away from plant stems. Pruning should not be required other than to take off old flower heads. A relatively low maintenance plant.

Plants generally benefit from regular deep watering in hot summers. Do not over fertilise Farfugium as this leads to weakened vigor and less beautiful foliage. Dry winds also causes this perennial to look peaked. Mulch over the rhizomes in regions where winters cause foliage to die back. An application in spring and autumn of a good organic based fertilizer such as dried sheep pellets is ideal.Sprinkle evenly and work into the top 2 to 3cm of the soil taking care not to damage surface roots. Alternatively a fortnightly foliar feed of a seaweed / fish based fertilizer applied in early morning or evening but not during the heat of the day is beneficial.

Propagation is easily achieved by division. Lift the clump and insert two garden forks back to back and push apart alternatively split in half with a spade. This can be a bit more damaging to the plant as stems may come off but if the clump is especially large it maybe the easiest way to divide it.

No pest and disease issues.
Slugs and snails can significantly damage the foliage. Even with adequate moisture leaf wilting may occur in hot summer climates particularly when the plant is exposed to too much sun.

Urban Trees

Farfugium japonicum is synonymous with and formerly known as Ligularia tussilaginea and Ligularia kaempferi.