Gardening Flowers Perennials Leopard's Bane By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 6, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Leopard’s Bane Overview Description One of the first perennials to bloom in spring, leopard's bane is valued for the cheerful yellow daisylike flowers it produces even in shady areas. Plant this shade-loving, easy-to-grow perennial in part shade or shade and enjoy the blossoms for several weeks in late spring. After springtime flowering and the onset of summer heat, most varieties of leopard's bane recede into the soil and go dormant until the following spring. Genus Name Doronicum orientale Common Name Leopard’s Bane Plant Type Perennial Light Part Sun, Shade Height 1 to 3 feet Width 12 to 15 inches Foliage Color Chartreuse/Gold Season Features Spring Bloom Special Features Low Maintenance Zones 4, 5, 6, 7 Propagation Division Garden Plans For Leopard's Bane Planting Partners Spring-blooming bulbous plants—from late-season tulips and daffodils to leucojum—make perfect planting partners for leopard's bane. So do many shade-garden plants, including astilbe, lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis, lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis, Solomon's seal Polygonatum, and Jacob's ladder Polemonium spp., which start emerging from the soil just when leopard's bane is beginning to bloom. Solve your perennial problems with these tips. Leopard's Bane Care Must-Knows Leopard's bane grows best in part shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate full shade, although flowering will decrease with limited sun exposure. Leopard's bane will grow in full sun in regions with cool summer temperatures but needs afternoon shade when growing in hot, humid southern climates. Transplant nursery-grown plants in spring. Regular moisture is a must; this plant does not tolerate drought. Give the new plants a thorough soaking once a week when rainfall is less than 1 inch a week. Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around plants to prevent soil-moisture loss and to keep its shallow roots cool. Wait until early spring after the first growing season to feed leopard's bane with a light, even coverage of a granular fertilizer such as 10-10-10. After blossoms fade in early summer, leopard's bane withers and goes dormant. This is a good time to divide the clump if needed. After digging it up, use a sharp spade to divide it into several large sections—each with ample roots and foliage. Replant divisions and water well. More Varieties of Leopard's Bane Plant Leopard's Bane With: Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit