Big Green Tractor Ligularia - 72-Cell Plug Tray

Big Green Tractor, formerly sold as Tractor Seat, is a very large ligularia for dramatic effect in the shade garden. Its deep green leaves grow up to 16 inches across at maturity, each deeply cut and edged with serrations.

The plant reaches about 3½ feet tall and 4½ feet wide. Golden yellow flowers with long petals appear in midsummer, best with morning sun or filtered shade, as deep shade reduces flowering. Use it as a bold specimen by a pond, in a rain garden or in a damp woodland bed.

What it looks like

Massive, rounded, deep green leaves up to 16 inches across, deeply dissected with serrated edges and a slightly glossy surface, held on long stems. The leaves form a very large, broad mound. In midsummer, tall branching stems carry golden yellow daisy-like flowers with long, narrow petals above the foliage. The plant is about 42 inches tall and 54 inches wide. At peak yellow flowers rise over a sea of huge, jagged green leaves.

Growing it with lavender

Ligularia needs shade and constantly moist soil, the opposite of lavender's dry, sunny bed, so plant it by a pond, in a rain garden or in a damp, shady spot with hostas and ferns.

Care

Plant in part shade, ideally morning sun with afternoon shade, in rich soil that stays consistently moist; the leaves wilt quickly in hot afternoon sun or dry soil. Hardy in zones 4-9. Water deeply in summer, watch for slugs on young leaves, and cut spent flower stems after bloom.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Ligularia
• Flower color: Golden yellow
• Foliage: Deep green
• Growth habit: Very large, broad mound
• Mature size: 42 in tall × 54 in wide
• USDA hardiness zones: 4–9
• Light: part sun to part shade
• Bloom start: Early-July
• Peak bloom: Mid-July
• Bloom pattern: Single Flush
• Deer resistance: Resistant
• Pollinator value: Good

Sizes and shipping

One full 72-cell plug tray: 72 young starter plugs of this variety (cells about 1⅓ in. wide × 2½ in. deep), rooted and ready to pot up into quarts or gallons. Best for growers and nurseries. Potted plants and plug trays ship during our live-plant seasons, March 1–May 31 and October 1–November 30; June through September is local pickup only. Plugs, potted plants and trays do not ship to AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, UT or WA.