Darmera peltata, umbrella plant
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Perennials

Darmera peltata

umbrella plant

SaxifragaceaeNorth America

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height3–6 feet (90–180 cm)
Width3–6 feet (90–180 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Darmera peltata, commonly called umbrella plant or Indian rhubarb, is a bold rhizomatous perennial and the sole species in the monotypic genus Darmera, in the family Saxifragaceae. Native to mountain streamsides and wet woodland margins from southwestern Oregon to northwestern California, it is one of the most architecturally striking plants native to the Pacific Northwest region. In early spring, before any foliage emerges, stout hairy stems rise 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) from thick surface-creeping rhizomes, bearing rounded domed clusters of small five-petaled white to bright pink flowers. The massive peltate leaves follow, growing to 18 inches (45 cm) or more across on stems reaching 3–6 feet (90–180 cm), deeply lobed and coarsely toothed, with the leaf stalk attached at the center of the leaf blade. In autumn, leaves turn striking shades of red, bronze, and orange before dying back. Darmera peltata is ideal for waterside planting, bog gardens, and large rain gardens where its dramatic foliage and tolerance of wet, even periodically flooded conditions can be fully utilized.

Native Range

Native to the Pacific Northwest and northern California, growing along mountain streamsides, seeps, and wet woodland margins from the Klamath Mountains and Siskiyou ranges of southwestern Oregon south to northwestern California. The species is adapted to riparian habitats subject to seasonal flooding, growing in full to partial shade in consistently moist to wet, humus-rich soils.

Suggested Uses

Darmera peltata is an outstanding choice for large-scale waterside planting, rain garden margins, bog gardens, and naturalistic streambank stabilization. Its bold foliage provides strong architectural contrast to fine-textured plants such as grasses, ferns, and astilbes. The early spring flowers are attractive to early-emerging bees. In smaller gardens, the dwarf selection 'Nana' reaches only 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) and is better suited to contained waterside planting.

How to Identify

Umbrella plant is unmistakable in the landscape: the large peltate leaves, up to 18 inches (45 cm) across, are attached at the center of the blade rather than the edge, held on stout stems 3–6 feet (90–180 cm) tall, giving a distinctive umbrella-like silhouette. Leaf margins are deeply lobed and coarsely toothed. In early spring, rounded domed clusters (cymes) of small white to pink five-petaled flowers appear on tall hairy stems before any foliage emerges. Thick, knobby surface rhizomes are a further identifying feature. Autumn foliage turns deep red to bronze.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
bronze
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Darmera peltata blooms in early to mid spring, typically March through April in Pacific Northwest lowland sites, with flowers appearing on bare stems before the leaves emerge. Flower clusters are domed cymes 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) across, composed of numerous small five-petaled flowers in white to bright pink. The flowering display lasts two to four weeks. Foliage emerges as flowers fade and reaches full size by late spring, providing bold textural presence through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to bright pink

Foliage Description

Deep green, turning red-bronze in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 4 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
loamclaypeatsilt
Drainage
wet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2–3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Darmera peltata is best suited to sites with consistently moist to wet soil — streambanks, pond margins, bog gardens, and rain garden swales. Plant rhizomes in spring or autumn in organically rich soil in partial to full shade; the species tolerates full sun only in consistently wet sites with cool summer temperatures. Space plants 4–6 feet (120–180 cm) apart, as rhizomes spread to form large colonies over time. No supplemental fertilization is needed in organically rich riparian soils; top-dress annually with compost or leaf mould. The species tolerates periodic flooding. Division of large clumps is performed in early spring or autumn by cutting sections of rhizome with attached growth buds.

Pruning

No pruning is required during the growing season. Allow foliage to die back naturally in late autumn after frost; the dramatic autumn color display is best left undisturbed until leaves have fully browned. Cut back dead foliage to ground level in late autumn or early spring before new growth and flower stems emerge. The spent flower stems from early spring can be removed once foliage has fully emerged if desired for tidiness.

Pruning Schedule

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fallearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic