Rodgersia pinnata

featherleaf rodgersia

China (Sichuan, Yunnan; moist mountain meadows 5000-11000 ft; pinnata=feather-like leaf; most bronze spring emergence; pinkest flowers)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Rodgersia pinnata is a herbaceous perennial reaching 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) tall with a spread of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) and a bold, clump-forming habit. The pinnately compound leaves have 5-9 leaflets each 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long arranged along a central rachis (pinnata = feather-like)—this feathered leaf arrangement distinguishes it from the palmate-leaved R. aesculifolia and R. podophylla. The foliage emerges strongly bronze to reddish-bronze in spring—the most intensely colored spring emergence in the genus—matures to dark green, and turns bronze-red in autumn. Tall, pyramidal panicles 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) of small pink to rose-pink flowers (sometimes white) rise above the foliage in June-July. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 5. Native to China. Requires consistently moist soil.

Native Range

Rodgersia pinnata is native to China—Sichuan and Yunnan provinces—in moist mountain meadows, stream banks, and forest margins at 5,000-11,000 feet (1,500-3,400 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Planted at streamside, pond margins, or moist woodland gardens at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Bold pinnate foliage with strong bronze spring color. Pink flower plumes. Requires consistent moisture. Scorches in full sun. Not suitable for dry conditions or full sun.

How to Identify

Distinguished from R. aesculifolia by the pinnately compound (versus palmately compound) leaf arrangement—leaflets along a central axis versus radiating from a point. Distinguished from R. podophylla by the pinnate (versus palmate) leaves and the pink (versus white) flowers. The feather-leaved rodgersia—pinnata = feather-like; most intensely bronze spring emergence; pink flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 4'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Tall pyramidal panicles 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) of small pink to rose-pink flowers (occasionally white), June-July. The pinkest flowers in the genus. Bloom duration 3-4 weeks. Plumes persist as brown seed heads.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to rose-pink (sometimes white); small; tall pyramidal panicles 10-15 inches; Jun-Jul; pinkest in genus

Foliage Description

Strongly bronze to reddish-bronze spring, dark green summer, bronze-red autumn; pinnately compound 5-9 leaflets 4-8 inches; most intensely colored spring emergence

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. The large leaves scorch in full sun. Mulch heavily. More tolerant of drier conditions than R. aesculifolia but still requires reliable moisture. Slugs may damage emerging foliage.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom or leave for winter structure. Cut back dead foliage in late winter.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Perennials