Darmera spp.

umbrella plant

Saxifragaceae Northern California and Oregon

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Darmera spp. is a genus in the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae) containing the single species D. peltata, the umbrella plant or Indian rhubarb. It is a large herbaceous perennial that spreads by thick creeping rhizomes along stream banks, forming bold colonies. In early spring, before the leaves appear, stout hairy stalks 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall rise from the bare rhizome bearing rounded clusters of small pink to white star-shaped flowers. The leaves follow and expand into rounded, peltate blades 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) across, held on stalks 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall, with the leaf stalk joined near the centre of the leaf like an umbrella. The leaf margins are lobed and toothed, and the foliage turns red and bronze before dying back in autumn. Darmera spp. grows in wet ground along streams, ponds, and bog margins, in sun where soil stays wet or in part shade. The colonising rhizomes stabilise stream banks but spread widely, so the plant needs room. It is grown as a bold foliage perennial at the waterside, where the round leaves and early flowers give two seasons of interest.

Native Range

Darmera peltata is native to the mountains of northern California and southwestern Oregon, where it grows along cold mountain streams and in seeps. It is restricted to this part of the Pacific Northwest. The species is the only member of its genus.

Suggested Uses

Darmera spp. is grown as a bold foliage perennial at the margins of streams, ponds, and bog gardens, and for erosion control on wet banks. The large umbrella leaves and early pink flowers make it a feature of waterside and rain-garden plantings. It suits damp, spacious sites rather than dry borders.

How to Identify

Identify Darmera spp. by its very large rounded peltate leaves, 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) across, whose stalks join near the centre of the blade like an umbrella, carried on stems up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, rounded clusters of small pink flowers appear on stout bare stalks. The leaves turn red and bronze in autumn. The umbrella-like peltate leaves and leafless spring flower stalks are unmistakable.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

bronze

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Darmera spp. flowers in early to mid-spring, generally April to May, before the foliage emerges, bearing rounded heads of small pink to white flowers on bare stalks. The flowers last a few weeks and are followed by the expanding leaves. Small dry fruits ripen in early summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Darmera spp. grows in full sun to part shade on permanently moist to wet, humus-rich soil along streams, ponds, and bog margins, and tolerates standing water at the roots. In full sun the soil must stay wet, or the large leaves scorch and wilt; part shade suits drier ground. The thick rhizomes spread steadily into colonies and stabilise wet banks, so the plant needs room to expand. It is hardy to about USDA zone 5 and dies back to the rhizome each winter. No serious pests or diseases affect it, though slugs may mark young leaves. An annual mulch maintains the moist, fertile conditions the plant needs.

Pruning

Darmera spp. needs little pruning beyond cutting away faded flower stalks and removing collapsed leaves at the end of the season. Tidying the dying foliage in autumn keeps the crown clear. Congested colonies can be divided in early spring to limit their spread or to propagate.