perennial

Bronzeleaf Rodgersia

Rodgersia podophylla 'Bronze Form'

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Bronzeleaf Rodgersia (Rodgersia podophylla 'Bronze Form') at County Line Nursery

Bronzeleaf Rodgersia foliage

Bronzeleaf Rodgersia foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  3 feet

Spacing:  18 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Description:

More broadly ovate leaves of green with coppery tinges throughout the summer that become more intense with more light; flowers are pink-suffused in lacy panicles hovering just over the coarse foliage, providing beautiful contrast

Ornamental Features

Bronzeleaf Rodgersia features airy plumes of shell pink flowers with creamy white overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large serrated oval palmate leaves emerge khaki (brownish-green) in spring, turning emerald green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous coppery-bronze in the fall. The red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Bronzeleaf 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.

Bronzeleaf Rodgersia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Bronzeleaf Rodgersia will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches 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 prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. 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.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Groundcover  Bog 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture  Bark 
Ornamental Features