Blog: large leaves and delicate flowers are a must, but not for dry gardens
If you like a lush, calming garden, Rodgersia is a key plant, often seen at the RHS Chelsea show gardens. The key to success is keeping it well watered. If you have a boggy area where other plants fail, or the edge of a pond, these are sites where Rodgersia will thrive. However, they will wither during drought or if you forget to water them, so beware.
Rodgersia aesculifolia AGM, or the chestnut-leaved Rodgersia, is a large herbaceous perennial. They come into leaf late, usually mid-to-late May, so be prepared for a blank area. It is also one of the first plants to die down in autumn, but to me it’s worth the shorter season. It will also tolerate shade. I have several plants in positions ranging from 6 hours of sun to almost total shade.
I grow it for its large leaves, which start with a wonderful bronze tint from a spreading crown, turning green as summer progresses. Each leaf is divided and palmate, strongly veined, with 5-9 obovate leaflets up to 25cm long. Elegant spires of creamy-pink flowers appear with the newly unfurled leaves in early summer. It grows to 1.2m to 2m high, with
Rodgersia is the star of the early summer garden
The main clump I have is planted alongside Ligularia Othello and The Rocket, variegated ribbon grass, and the Chinese rice paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer rex). For added colour, the border is full of sweet rocket, dark-leaved cow parsley Ravenswing, alliums and Welsh poppies.
From July, both Ligularias start to bloom, The Rocket with yellow spikes and Othello with orange daisy-like flowers. Rudbeckia Goldsturm, Achillea Terracotta, blue Campanula and red hot pokers carry the border through until early autumn, when blue Asters kick in.
If you live in a dry area and want to grow Rodgersia, line the planting area with a pond liner. Pierce a few holes in it to create a boggy environment. This has worked well for me, as it slows the fast draining of water away from the roots. Do be warned – this is not a plant you can plonk in and leave. Read more about Rodgersia’s troubles.
