In a shade garden the large palmately compound foliage of rodgersias (Rodgersia spp.) make a bold statement (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). In recent years rodgersias are becoming more available at garden centers in the U.S. Three of five species are listed below. Hybrid forms are also available.

Rodgersias thrive in moist, organically rich soils. They want either half-day direct morning sun or partial shade all day long. They also prefer a cool location. Shoots emerge slowly in late spring. The edge of a bog garden, pond, or in a damp meadow are good places to grow rodgersias, along with other moisture loving plants as ferns, toad lilies (Tricytris spp.), sweet flags (Acorus gramineus), ligularias, astilbes, and hostas.

Give rodgersia three years to bulk up. Their size and leaf texture will make them a focal point in your shade garden. Plants grow 3 to 6 feet tall depending on species, soil quality, nutritional level, plant age, and soil moisture. In late spring/early summer, white flowers rise high above the foliage and the old floral heads age gracefully. Rodgersias exhibit few disease or pest problems.

Fingerleaf rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia) is the most available in the U.S. Native to China it grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide and features thick blackened rhizomes (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). The attractive non- petalled (apetulous) flowers are fragrant and the flower stalks, stems and leaf margins are covered with brown hairs. Flowers stand well above the foliage. The large, crinkled, coarsely-toothed, palmate, dark green, basal leaves span 12 inches across with seven (vary from 6-9) leaflets. The foliage of cultivar ‘Chocolate Wings’ remains dark bronze all season long.

Featherleaf rodgersia (Rodgersia pinnata) grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Leaves arranged in pairs. Clusters of apetulous, white, creamy-pink, or rose-red flowers arise high above the foliage. Each of the 6-9 palmate leaflets range from 6-8 inches in length. By late summer foliage has turned reddish-bronze. ‘Superba’ is a popular cultivar with bronze-tinted foliage all season and bright pink flowers.

Bronze-leaf rodgersia (Rodgersia podophylla) exhibit 5 large, jagged palmate leaflets that emerge bronze-green in the spring, green in summer, and rust red in the fall (5-8). It grows 3 to 6 feet high and wide. The creamy white foot long flowers tower above the foliage.