Yellow rocket (Ligularia) is a late-blooming perennial for woodland gardens or shady areas. It’s commonly relegated to the back of the border because of its uninteresting leaves. However, a new selection of Ligularia will tempt gardeners to bring it out from the shadows.

‘Osiris Café Noir’ yellow rocket was bred in Quebec, Canada. It features very dark black, serrated, leathery leaves in spring that transition to shades of bronze, and eventually olive green by the time it sends up yellow flower spikes on ebony-colored stems in mid to late summer. The plant grows 20 to 24 inches tall, is deer resistant, flourishes in a shade garden, and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. In warm southern areas, plant ‘Osiris Café Noir’ where it will receive some afternoon shade to protect the plant from wilting.

For more information on this new yellow rocket, go to: Walters Gardens.