Britt Marie Crawford Leopard Plant

Ligularia dentata USPP 16,113

Nature Hills Nursery

Dark Chocolate Foliage with Raspberry Undersides Reveals Garden Magic in the Breeze
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy Yellow Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Pollinator-Friendly Perennial

$44⁶¹

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in an area that receives 0-2 hours of direct morning sun or all-day dappled shade; intense afternoon sun will quickly scorch the large leaves, fading the rich, chocolate-burgundy color. Providing it with morning light will actually intensify the deep pigmentation, but protecting it from the harsh midday heat is non-negotiable.
Soil: Aim for a moisture-retentive, rich, and highly organic soil that still drains well—it thrives in conditions similar to a forest floor. If your soil is heavy clay, generously incorporate compost and aged leaf mold to improve both drainage and moisture retention, ensuring the roots stay consistently damp but not waterlogged.

Watering Requirements

During its first season, keep the soil uniformly moist by watering deeply 2-3 times per week, never allowing the root ball to fully dry out. Once established, this plant is not drought-tolerant and inconsistent watering will cause the foliage to quickly wilt and the leaf margins to crisp. If you see the plant drooping dramatically during a hot spell, water immediately, as its overall health depends on a steady supply of moisture.

Pruning Tips

Since the spectacular foliage is the primary feature, you are pruning for health and aesthetics, not bloom timing. In late winter or early spring, remove any old, damaged, or winter-tattered leaves by snipping them off at the base of the plant to clean up the clump before new growth emerges. You can also snip off the tall, yellow flower spikes at the base after they fade; this simple technique redirects all the plant’s energy into maintaining those magnificent, massive leaves.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a well-balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10, around the root zone in early spring just as you see new growth starting. Alternatively, a monthly feeding with a half-strength liquid organic solution like compost tea or fish emulsion during the peak summer months works well. What you should avoid is heavy nitrogen feeding late in the growing season, as this promotes tender, lush new growth that is highly susceptible to severe damage from an early frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Wet Soils, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly
Sunlight	Partial shade
Height	3-4 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	High
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Purple
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Ligularia dentata USPP 16,113
Species	dentata
Class	Asterales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Get bold yellow flower spikes that shine in the shade! The Britt Marie Crawford Leopard Plant (Ligularia dentata 'Britt-Marie Crawford') is a wonderful yellow-orange, rocket-shaped flower with huge leaves in dark chocolate-maroon foliage that remains dark for most of the season!

Britt Marie Crawford Leopard Plants makes an extremely bold statement in the garden, and its best ornamental feature is its dark leaves! Plus they hide a showy secret - breezes lift the leaves to reveal raspberry undersides!

The foliage can be rounded, kidney-shaped, or triangular with a wavy margin, bringing even more variety to this showy plant! This plant was first discovered by Britt-Marie Crawford in Fife, Scotland.

The flowers appear on tall spikes and bloom from July to August. The yellow-orange pollinator-friendly blooms are like long-petalled Daisy-like flowers that fill out the upright dark stems that really show off against dark chocolate-maroon foliage! They retain good color throughout the growing season, thriving throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9! Plus, the fall seed heads are filled with nutritious food for songbirds!

Landscape Application:

Use Ligularia in group or mass plantings, woodland gardens, or along streams, ponds, pools, or bog gardens! Add a large-scale perennial at the base of where the gutters drain on the shady side of your home! Fantastic around water gardens and Rain Gardens for a spectacular showing.

Fill the Shade Gardens, Perennial borders and Cottage garden locations around your yard! Gain big texture and color in those gloomy areas! Britt Marie Crawford Leopard Plant brings in the pollinators during the summer months, while the dark leaves add dramatic contrast!

You'll take your landscape to the next level with this spectacular display. Easy enough for beginners, Bottle Rocket Leopard Plant develops into an architectural structural element that looks good all season. These large perennials will certainly turn heads when you plant them as groundcover to fill large areas!

Yellow-Orange Daisy-Like Blooms
Dark Chocolate-Maroon Foliage
Summer Flowers For Pollinators
Wide & Tall Showy Perennials
Fantastic Large Shady Specimens, Rain Gardens & Fast En Masse

#ProPlantTips for Care

Ligularia are resilient herbaceous perennials and can grow into large-scale plants up to 4 feet tall when in bloom and 4 feet wide! These plants should be planted in part sun/partial shade in a well-drained area, but keep the soil moist to wet. It should never be allowed to dry out! Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of arborist mulch to keep moisture in the soil better.

Best In Partial Shade
Moderate to High Moisture
Well-Drained Rich Organic Soil
Deadhead After Flowers Fade & Prune Mounds In Fall
Deer-Resistant & Widely Adaptable

Big and bold, the Britt Marie Leopard Plant shows off in a grand scale with its dark foliage and showy yellow summer flowers! Order yours today at NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

When to plant weigela?

I notice there's a mismatch in your question. You're asking about when to plant weigela, but the product information provided is for the Britt Marie Crawford Leopard Plant (Ligularia). Could you clarify if you'd like me to: 1. Write about when to plant the Leopard Plant based on the provided information, or 2. Write about when to plant weigela (which would require different product information)? I want to make sure I'm answering the right question with the correct plant details.

When does Britt Marie Crawford bloom and what color are the flowers?

Britt Marie Crawford blooms from July to August with bold yellow-orange, daisy-like flowers on tall spikes. The rocket-shaped blooms create stunning contrast against the dark chocolate-maroon foliage and attract pollinators throughout summer. Plant in partial to full shade for best performance, available at naturehills.com.

Will the colorful foliage maintain its variegation in different light conditions?

The Britt Marie Crawford doesn't have variegation but maintains its striking dark chocolate-maroon foliage with raspberry undersides throughout zones 4-9. The dramatic color holds well in shade conditions where this plant thrives best. For consistent foliage impact, plant in partial to full shade locations and shop at Nature Hills for guaranteed quality.

Britt Marie Crawford Leopard Plant

Ligularia dentata USPP 16,113