Rodgersia aesculifolia

fingerleaf rodgersia

China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou; moist mountain meadows and stream banks 4000-11000 ft; aesculifolia=horse-chestnut-leaved; largest most coarse-textured rodgersia)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Rodgersia aesculifolia is a herbaceous perennial reaching 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall with a spread of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) and a bold, clump-forming habit. The palmately compound leaves resemble those of horse chestnut (Aesculus spp.—hence aesculifolia), with 5-7 leaflets each 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) long, coarsely textured, heavily veined, and crinkled—the largest leaves in the genus. The foliage emerges bronze-tinged in spring, matures to dark green in summer, and turns bronze-red in autumn. Tall panicles 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) long of small creamy-white to pinkish-white flowers rise above the foliage in June-July. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 5. Native to China. Requires consistently moist soil—not drought tolerant. The coarse-textured, horse-chestnut-like leaves provide bold architectural foliage at streamside and bog garden scale.

Native Range

Rodgersia aesculifolia is native to China—Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces—in moist mountain meadows, stream banks, and forest margins at 4,000-11,000 feet (1,200-3,400 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Planted at streamside, pond margins, bog gardens, or moist woodland gardens at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Bold architectural foliage—horse-chestnut-like leaves. Bronze spring emergence. Creamy-white plumes. Requires consistent moisture—not drought tolerant. Scorches in full sun. Slugs may damage. Not suitable for dry conditions, full sun, or well-drained soils.

How to Identify

Distinguished from R. pinnata by the palmately compound (versus pinnately compound) leaf arrangement—the leaflets radiate from a central point like horse chestnut fingers. Distinguished from R. podophylla by the more heavily veined, crinkled leaf texture and the creamy-white (versus similar white) flowers. The horse-chestnut-leaved rodgersia—aesculifolia = Aesculus-like leaves; largest, most coarsely textured leaves in the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Tall panicles 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) of small creamy-white to pinkish-white flowers rising above the foliage, June-July. Bloom duration 3-4 weeks. The plumes persist as brown seed heads into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy-white to pinkish-white; small; tall panicles 12-18 inches above foliage; Jun-Jul

Foliage Description

Bronze-tinged spring, dark green summer, bronze-red autumn; palmately compound 5-7 leaflets 4-10 inches; coarse heavily veined crinkled

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-5 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 peat clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full shade in consistently moist to wet, humus-rich soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 5. Not drought tolerant—requires reliable moisture. The large leaves scorch in full sun and dry conditions. Mulch heavily to retain moisture. Slugs and snails may damage emerging foliage.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom or leave for winter structure. Cut back dead foliage in late winter. No other pruning needed.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Perennials