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Rodgersia pinnata
Featherleaf Rodgersia
China (Sichuan, Yunnan; moist mountain meadows 5000-11000 ft; pinnata=feather-like leaf; most bronze spring emergence; pinkest flowers)
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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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 4'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
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 genusFoliage 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 emergenceGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring