The names of both tragic heroes have been given to a pair of beautiful flowering perennials whose yellow and orange flowers might stir jealous -like emotions in everyone who happens to see the cultivars in full bloom. It is one of that rare cases when jealousy is thoroughly accounted for unless it leads to strangulation of anyone. Now, having been warned, you can rush to a garden center and look for the most trustful Othello despite the obvious oxymoron heard in this description.
Ligularia is a precious shade garden plant but it also thrives in full sun providing the soil is rich and the roots have ample water. On very hot days the leaves tend to lose turgor but regain their composure in the afternoon. We must never forget about watering the plants in summer if we plan to make other people feel jealous of our Othello and Desdemona. I also suggest that you control snails and slugs. Their unwelcome visits can be seen from a distance as big unsightly holes in the leaves. Both leaves (without holes) and flowers are perfect for cutting. Ligularia also grows well in big pots and other containers.
While reading about Desdemona and Othello why not listen to their tender loving conversation from Verdi's "Otello"sung by two great opera singers: Teresa Żylis- Gara and Franco Corelli. Caution: the duet can make you forget about Ligularia, which would be a shame, but I am not going to be jealous!