Farfugium
- Phonetic Spelling
- far-FU-gee-um
- Description
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This is a genus of rhizomatous evergreen flowering plants in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to Asia. They can be found growing along streams and other moist sites and are 1-2 feet tall. Many cultivars have been developed with showy variegated leaves.
They prefer partly shady to shady locations with moist well-drained soil. They are hardy in zones 7-10 in the USA. The foliage is evergreen until the temperature drops below 20 degrees F. The plants can reach 1-2 feet tall with a similar spread. Divide in spring if needed.
Most of these plants have large rounded leathery leaves, are evergreen and some are variegated. The bright yellow aster-like flowers appear in clusters in the fall.
They can be used as a ground cover along streams and ponds or as an understory plant. They look great mass-planted in shady areas but also do well in containers.
Additional Farfugium images at Juniper Level Botanical Gardens
- Fafugium (leopard Plant)
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails can be a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Farfugium japonicum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Farfugium japonicum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Farfugium
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dry achenes with hairs attached to the seeds for wind dispersal.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Daisy-like flowers in loose corymbs appear in fall above the foliage. There are around 7-8 or more yellow rays surrounding the center disc flowers. Individual flowers are 1-2 inches across
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Attractive rounded to kidney-shaped leaves are glossy green to variegated. Some may have a crinkled appearance. They can be up to 12 inches across.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
