Rodgersia

( rod - JERZ - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial flowering plants needs partial shade in the warmest climates and ample amounts of water. They are perfect for woodland gardens, and are native to China and Japan. Prized for their handsome foliage that turns bronze in late summer, Rodgersia has flower spikes that resemble those of Astilbe species and bloom in late summertime. These plants will spread freely by underground rhizome. Plant Rodgersia as foundation plantings, in mixed beds and borders, or simply as specimens in the landscape, used to add both foliage and flowers to bare areas.

Rodgersia Species and Varietals

The genus Rodgersia is a member of the plant family Saxifragaceae and includes five species. The best growing zones for Rodgersia are 2-9 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Rodgersia aesculifolia (Finger-Leaf Rodgersia, Chestnut-Leaved Rodgersia)
This species reaches 3-6 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity when in bloom, and have leaves that resemble Aesculus. Star-shaped flowers are white or pink and bloom in terminal branched panicles in summertime. These plants are native to China.

Rodgersia pinnata
This species reaches 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. Flowers are red in the straight species. Varieties include 'Chocolate Wing' (with brown, bronze and green foliage and red flowers), 'Fireworks' (with red-tinged leaves and pink-red flowers), and 'Superba' (with bronze foliage and bright pink flowers). This species is native to Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China.

Rodgersia podophylla (Giant Saxifragaceae)
This species, growing to 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, has coppery green leaves and cream-colored flowers. Plants are native to Japan and Korea, where it grows in shaded, damp areas in acidic to neutral soils. They are hardy to -4 degrees Fahrenheit, but enjoy sheltered locations. Cultivar 'Rotlaub' is a compact varietal.

Rodgersia sambucifolia (Elderberry Rodgersia)
This species reaches three feet tall and wide when mature and in bloom, and produces and flat-topped clusters of pink or white flowers. Leaves are large and green with prominent veining. Blooms appear in late spring through the summer season.

Caring for Rodgersia

Plant Rodgersia in a space in the garden that receives full sun to full shade; different species will have varying light requirements, so make sure to check the growing conditions for your specific plant before choosing a planting area. The amount of light that these plants receive will dictate the leaf color, which typically emerges bronze in springtime and matures to green before turning bright shades of red and yellow in the fall. These plants will spread to form colonies over time, so make sure that there is enough space to accommodate the mature size of your cultivar, as well. Ensure that soil is well-draining and rich in nutrients, with plenty of added organic material. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Rodgersia appreciates consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Deadhead flower spikes to neaten the appearance of plants as well as discourage re-seeding. If collecting seeds for the purpose of propagation, make sure to leave some seed heads on plants to mature. Rodgersias go dormant in wintertime and need to be mulched over the cooler months to protect the roots from freezing. Divide every three years to ensure that plants stay healthy. For instructions on how to successfully divide Rodgersia plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Rodgersia can be propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Rodgersia plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Rodgersia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Rodgersia seeds will need a period of cold-stratification in order to germinate. To complete this process, first place seeds in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Then, place the container in the refrigerator (or similarly cool, dark space) for 2-3 months. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After this period has passed, remove seeds from the container.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Rodgersia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.