The herbaceous perennial leopard plant, Farfugium japonicum, stages dramatic performances in fall and winter gardens throughout the southern United States in USDA hardiness zones 7-9. Roots survive temperatures to 0°F but foliage dies back at 20°F.
Portrait of a Leopard Plant
The dark glossy green tropical jungle foliage of Farfugium japonicum is either solid green or, in some cultivars, is covered with flower-shaped yellow spots resembling the camouflage spotting of leopards. Hence, the common name leopard plant.
The tough plant is a clump-forming hardy perennial with kidney-shaped or round wavy edged leathery leaves 6-10 inches wide held upright on 12-inch stems.
From August through December, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom on 2 foot tall branched stems. A close look at the flower’s structure with or without a hand lens confirms this as a composite family member like so many fabulous fall bloomers including marigolds, asters, swamp sunflower, and goldenrod. But the leopard plant bloom season extends well into December when all of these composites have gone to seed already.
Out of Asia
Leopard plants, like their animal namesake, are fond of water. Farfugium japonica is native to wet areas in Japan, Korea and Taiwan where it is commonly found around ponds, stream banks and bogs. Locations where roots obtain ample water are conducive to its best growth. Botanical gardens and homeowners use irrigation systems.
Into Your Garden
University of Georgia horticulture professor Alan Armitage notes that site selection is crucial for successful cultivation of the leopard plant.
Farfugium japonicum prefers living under a canopy as provided by a woodland garden, specimen tree or tree-lined street. It thrives under gigantic live oaks in Brookgreen Gardens near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dense rows of leopard plants line sidewalks along tree-lined streets in southern cities. Leopard plant can be used as a ground cover under single specimen trees with deep roots like the Chinese pistache.
The leopard plant tolerates early morning sun but wilts rapidly in midday sun. Gardeners consider the leopard plant to be an irrigation gauge since its leaves go limp before other plants show signs of water deprivation.
If planted in soil amended with organic matter, the plant needs minimal fertilizer. Mulching plants is recommended to retain soil moisture as well as to thwart slugs from browsing leaves.
Gardeners propagate the leopard plant by division in spring. Seed propagation is feasible if you can locate the seed online.
Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina carries one of the largest selections of leopard plants.
The exceptionally plant is being used as an alternative to or a contrast with shade-loving hostas and ferns in borders, containers, and groundcovers.
Every garden needs at least one leopard. Plan to tame the leopard plant in the shade of your garden and enjoy the dramatic foliage and cheerful flowers through December.
Sources
- Armitage, Alan M. Armitage's Garden Perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2000.
- “Farfugium japonicum” at the Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder website
- “Farfugium japonicum” at Plant Delights website
- Winter, Norman. “Leopard Plant is Made for the Shade,” on Mississippi State University, Office of Agricultural Communications website, February 5, 2009.
Arlene Marturano - Arlene Marturano, an educator, consultant, master gardener, and writer advocates gardens as a context and gardening as a tool for ...
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