Rodgersia podophylla

Description: Distinctive large leaves which are excellent for providing contrasting shape and texture to moist sunny borders.  The deeply veined leaves are held in an upright rosette of five leaflets each having deeply toothed jagged edges. The leaves are soft bronze pink when they emerge in spring turning green and coloring bronze again in autumn. Grown for the textured foliage with less significant stems of fluffy creamy white small flowers in summer. An excellent clump forming herbaceous plant for good foliage effect.

Uses: Looks particularly good by the side of water whether stream or pond.

Climate/Position: Full Sun - or partial shade - shelter from cold winds.

Height/Spread: A larger form with spreading habit reaching up to 1.8 metres tall x 1.8 metres spread.

Soil Requirements: Fertile moist soil which should be humus rich,  will tolerate a drier spot if shady.

Pruning: Cut back flower stems after flowering and tidy plants in late autumn by cutting back the dead foliage.

Special Requirements: To ensure soil around Rodgersia remains moist then applying a mulch annually in the spring will help retain moisture.

Additional Interest: The species name podophylla roughly translates as duck feet referring to the shape of each of the palmate leaflets.