Little Rocket Leopard Plant

Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket'

$54⁸⁷

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Plant Size

Product variants

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Flowering, Wet Soils, Clay Tolerant, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, and Container Friendly

Specifications

Botanical Name

Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket'
Height

3-4 ft
Width

3-4 ft
Growing Zones

4-9
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Purple
- Yellow
Leaf Color
- Green
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This plant thrives in partial to full shade, ideally receiving about 2 to 4 hours of direct morning sunlight. Avoid hot afternoon sun, as it will cause the large leaves to wilt dramatically. While it can survive in deeper shade, you might see fewer of those bright yellow flower spikes compared to a spot with gentle morning light.
Soil: Little Rocket loves moisture-retentive, rich soil that acts like a sponge. If you have sandy soil that drains too quickly, amend it heavily with compost or peat moss to help hold water. It is actually one of the few plants that tolerates heavy clay well, provided the clay stays consistently damp rather than baking into a hard brick.

Watering Requirements

Hydration is critical for this plant. During the first season, water deeply twice a week to help the roots establish. Once established, it is not drought-tolerant and requires consistent moisture; think of it as a plant that prefers "wet feet." If watering is inconsistent, the plant will react theatrically by wilting flat during the day, and chronic dryness will lead to brown, crispy leaf edges and stunted bloom spikes.

Pruning Tips

This perennial blooms on new growth, so you don't need to worry about cutting off next year's flowers. During the summer, snipping off the spent flower spikes right at the base keeps the plant looking tidy and directs energy back into the foliage. In late autumn after a hard frost turns the leaves brown (or early spring before new growth emerges), cut the entire plant back to the ground to clear the way for fresh, healthy leaves.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as you see new green shoots poking through the soil. Avoid using high-nitrogen liquid fertilizers late in the summer. Doing so can push soft, weak foliage growth that won't have time to harden off before winter, potentially causing damage when the frost hits.

Growing Zones 4-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

Delivering pure drama, The Little Rocket Leopard Plant (Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket) 'features large, heart-shaped, serrated leaves and phenomenal vibrant-yellow flowers held aloft on tall, dark purple spires! It even has a cool name to share with your garden visitors for conversation starters!

Exciting when in bloom, these plants look like bottle rocket fireworks! With their extremely long flower spikes held above the rough, extremely large leaves. Even the stems are dramatic! Pair these with trailing selections like Golden Creeping Jenny or vibrant creeping Sedums. They also look lovely with the similar blossoms of Astilbe, or Coral Bells and their vibrant foliage!

Little Rocket looks great all season long! The huge leaves have neat jagged edges and the entire clump is smaller and more compact than other Ligularia. These are very easy care, deer-resistant and cold-hardy perennials! Plus, the fall seed heads are filled with nutritious food for songbirds!

Planting and Application:

Theater-loving gardeners will appreciate this selection as a thriller for their water gardens or large containers. This plant lives large and grows tall and wide in fertile, wet soils. Use these along the water's edge. Rain Gardens, where the gutters drain and perfect additions to water features and container water gardens! Add color and style around poolside and patio plantings,

Leopard Plants are just as eye-catching in a vase and floral arrangement as they are in the garden bed and border! Adding incredible flair as a specimen, these good-sized plants create quite a stir in shady Perennial borders while updating a boring Cottage garden! Any moist to occasionally soggy shady garden location and woodland garden.

Large, Dramatic Accents & Specimens
Great for Cut Foliage Arrangements
Bright Yellow Rocket Blooms
Pollinators & Bird Food
Perfect Water Garden Accent

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Ligularia loves a partially shady site or morning sun with afternoon shade. Plant in very moist, but well-drained soil that is highly organic and enriched. Remove dead leaves after a heavy frost in autumn to clean up the mounds.

Part Sun & Part Shade
Very Moist Well-Drained Soil
Rich Organic Soil, Tolerates Wet & Clay
Deer Resistant
Herbaceous Perennials Zones 4-9

The dramatic Little Rocket Leopard Plant will have heads turning, so don't miss out on this unique shade perennial. People across the country are on the hunt for this superior selection so order at NatureHills.com today!

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

Little Rocket Leopard Plant

Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications