RODGERSIA pinnata 'Chocolate Wing'

Description

Rodgersia pinnata 'Chocolate Wing'

Height x Spread: 100cm x 100cm

This moisture loving, architectural plant is a member of the Saxifraga family. Needing consistently moist but not waterlogged soil, it is perfectly adapted to waterside and damp woodland planting schemes. Given enough consistent moisture it can be grown in slightly sunnier,sheltered locations. 

In spring the deeply divided, palmate foliage emerges rich bronze on red stems, as it matures the foliage darkens to green. From June to August stems, up to a meter in height, bear panicles of pale pink flowers, standing erect above the crown of foliage. Later the flowers are replaced with deep red seed heads.

Hugely attractive to pollinators, this low maintenance, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial looks wonderful planted ‘en masse’ beside natural water courses. It makes a great bed fellow to Lythrum, Salvia ulignosa, Eutrochium, Filipendula, Ligularia, Tricyrtis,Hydrangea, Dicentra, Digitalis, Thalictrum, Astrantia and moisture loving ferns among many others. Newly emerging foliage can fall prey to late frosts so a sheltered site, i.e. North or West facing is best.

When mature you can lift and divide the crowns in early spring. If you wish you can remove spent flower stems later in the season to help prevent wind rock.