Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Featherleaf Rodgersia

Description:

Finely cut leaves are deep cocoa bronze when they emerge turning dark green; striking nodding plumes of hot pink flowers in early summer make a great display; recommend partial shade but moist soils are a necessity when planting in full sun

Ornamental Features

Chocolate Wings Rodgersia features bold plumes of hot pink flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large serrated oval palmate leaves emerge dark brown in spring, turning dark green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous dark red in the fall. The red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Chocolate Wings Rodgersia is an herbaceous perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Chocolate Wings Rodgersia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Chocolate Wings Rodgersia will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.