Featherleaf Rodgersia Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba'
ABOUT
Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as Rodgersia, is a striking perennial plant known for its bold foliage and showy flower plumes. The leaves of this variety are large, compound, and typically resembling those of a horse chestnut in shape. Each leaf is subdivided into smaller leaflets that are sharply toothed, providing a texture that is both lush and architectural. The coloration of the foliage is a deep bronze-green, offering a rich backdrop for other plants in the garden. As the seasons change, the leaves may take on hues of deeper bronze, adding to the plant's visual interest. In the summer, Rodgersia produces tall, astilbe-like plumes of flowers that rise gracefully above the foliage. These flower plumes are dense with tiny star-shaped blooms that can vary in color from creamy white to soft pink, creating an airy and elegant display. The flowers are known to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding to the garden's ecological value. The overall appearance of Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba' is one of majesty and drama. With its bold leaves and captivating flower plumes, this plant is sure to be a focal point in any garden setting where it's planted. It is well-suited for damp areas and is often used in shaded or woodland garden designs due to its preference for moist environments and its striking appearance.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Saxifragaceae.
Synonyms
Featherleaf Rodgersia, Rodger's Flower, Rodger's Plant.
Common names
Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as the Rodgersia, is not commonly listed as a poisonous plant to humans. However, as with many plants, it is generally advisable not to ingest parts of this plant as it is not edible and could potentially cause an upset stomach or other digestive disturbances due to its non-food nature. If a significant amount is ingested and symptoms appear, it is prudent to seek medical advice.
To pets
The Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly referred to as Rodgersia, is not typically recognized as a toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. While it might not be explicitly listed as poisonous, it is always safest to prevent your pets from ingesting plants not meant for consumption. Some plants can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if eaten, which may include symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. If your pet consumes a considerable amount of the plant and shows signs of distress, consult a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Landscaping Appeal: Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as rogers flower, adds a dramatic flair to garden landscapes with its large, bold leaves and showy plumes of flowers.
- Attracts Pollinators: The plant's flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, which can help improve the health and productivity of your garden.
- Shade Tolerance: Rogers flower thrives in partial shade, making it an ideal plant for woodland gardens or areas with dappled sunlight.
- Moisture Loving: It is well-suited for planting near water features or in moist areas of the garden, as it prefers consistently damp soil conditions.
- Seasonal Interest: With attractive foliage and flowers, rogers flower provides multi-season interest, from the emergence of its leaves in spring to the late summer blooms.
- Architectural Plant: The statuesque nature of Rogers flower makes it a good choice for adding structure to the garden, especially in border plantings or as a focal point.
- Durability: Once established, Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba' is a durable and resilient plant that can tolerate varying conditions and is relatively low maintenance.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as Rodgersia, can be used as a natural pest deterrent due to its strong scent, which is often unappealing to certain garden pests.
- In garden design, Rodgersia is valued for its bold foliage texture which can be used as a contrast element in the garden, providing visual interest amongst finer-textured plants.
- The plant's leaves can be used in floral arrangements and bouquets to add an exotic, tropical look due to their size and unique form.
- Rodgersia can serve as a living mulch because its large leaves can cover ample ground area, reducing weed growth and conserving soil moisture.
- The plant is suitable for creating a naturalistic planting scheme around water features, echoing its preference for moist conditions.
- Rodgersia can act as a natural soil stabilizer on slopes or banks next to streams or ponds because of its spreading root system.
- The dense clumps formed by Rodgersia can be used as a privacy screen in gardens when planted in consecutive masses.
- Dried Rodgersia leaves can be incorporated into crafts such as making natural impressions in clay or concrete for decorative stepping stones.
- The architectural form of the Rodgersia can be used in winter gardens to provide structure and interest, as its seed heads add winter texture.
- The subtle bronze to red fall color of Rodgersia foliage can be used to create a seasonally changing palette in the garden, offering aesthetic appeal beyond the flowering period.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Rodgersia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Rodgersia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Uniqueness: Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba,' commonly known as Rodgersia, often symbolizes uniqueness due to its distinctive foliage and striking appearance in garden settings.
- Vitality: The robust nature and vigorous growth of Rodgersia suggest a symbolism of vitality and strong life force.
- Diversity: With its variety of leaf shapes and colors, Rodgersia represents diversity and the beauty of different characteristics coming together harmoniously.
- Luxuriance: The full and lush growth of Rodgersia, with its large leaves and plume-like flowers, often symbolizes luxuriance and abundance.
- Adaptability: Given its ability to thrive in a range of conditions, Rodgersia can symbolize adaptability and resilience in various environments.
WaterTo ensure the Featherleaf Rodgersia, which is the common name for Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', remains healthy, water it deeply to saturate the root zone once a week during the active growing season. If the weather is particularly dry or hot, increase watering frequency to twice a week. The plant prefers consistent moisture, so aim to keep the soil evenly damp but not waterlogged. Each watering session should involve 1-2 gallons of water, depending on the size of the plant and the dryness of the soil. During winter, reduce watering as the plant goes dormant and only add water if the soil becomes very dry.
LightFeatherleaf Rodgersia thrives in partial shade where it is protected from the harsh afternoon sun. The ideal spot for this plant would be an area that gets dappled sunlight or light shade throughout the day, such as underneath a canopy of trees or on the north side of a building. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.
TemperatureThe Featherleaf Rodgersia can tolerate a temperature range from about 40°F up to 75°F, which are its optimal growth conditions. It may survive brief dips below this range, but frost can damage the plant, and prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing is not advisable. On the upper end, Featherleaf Rodgersia can withstand short periods of hotter temperatures; however, regular exposure to temperatures above 80°F may stress the plant.
PruningFeatherleaf Rodgersia should be pruned to remove any spent flower stalks and damaged or dead foliage, which will encourage new growth and improve air circulation. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Prune selectively, cutting back the old foliage to the ground, and deadhead spent flowers to maintain a neat appearance and promote additional blooms. Pruning is generally required once a year but may be done more frequently to remove damaged leaves or spent blooms during the growing season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilRodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as Rodger's flower, thrives in rich, humusy, consistently moist, well-draining soil. A blend of equal parts garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand makes an ideal soil mix that provides both moisture retention and good drainage. The soil pH should be acidic to neutral, ideally ranging between 5.5 and 7.0.
RepottingRodger's flower typically does not need frequent repotting as it is a perennial that grows well in situ. However, if the plant is outgrowing its space or you are dividing it, repotting can be done in the spring every 3-4 years to give it fresh soil and more room to grow.
Humidity & MistingRodger's flower prefers high humidity levels but is adaptable to average garden humidity. It's beneficial to maintain a humid environment similar to its native habitat, particularly if grown in drier indoor settings.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Rodger's flower in bright, indirect light with high humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, moist soil, and protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
5-7 USDA
Life cycleRodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as Featherleaf Rodgersia, begins its lifecycle with seed germination, typically occurring in a moist and cool environment. After germination, the plant develops a rosette of basal leaves, which are pinnately compound and can grow quite large, setting the stage for later growth. In the following growing seasons, the plant matures and forms robust clumps with tall flowering stalks, bearing astilbe-like panicles of small, star-shaped flowers that range in color from pink to white during summer. After pollination, typically involving insects, seeds are produced and dispersed, capable of generating new plants. Over the years, Featherleaf Rodgersia will form larger clumps by vegetative propagation through its rhizome system. In the fall, the plant dies back to the ground, entering dormancy through the winter until the cycle restarts with new growth in spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late spring to early summer
The most popular method of propagating Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba', commonly known as Rodger's Flower, is by division. This is best done in early spring as new growth begins, or in autumn after the foliage has died down. To propagate by division, carefully lift the entire plant out of the ground using a garden fork or shovel, ensuring a sizable clump of roots is maintained. Gently separate the crown into smaller sections, each with a piece of the root system attached. Each division should be replanted at the same depth it was originally growing, spaced about 24 to 30 inches (approximately 60 to 76 cm) apart to allow ample room for growth. Water the transplants well to establish them and continue with regular watering until the root systems are developed. This method allows gardeners to quickly increase their stock while maintaining the health and vigor of the parent plant.
