Chestnut-leaved

Description

Rodgersia aesculifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Saxifragaceae, native to northern China. It is a substantial, herbaceous perennial growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 1 m (3 ft) broad, with textured palmate leaves up to 25 cm (10 in) long, and 60 cm (24 in) erect panicles made up of tiny, star-shaped white or pink flowers in summer. The leaves resemble those of the horse chestnut, hence the specific epithet aesculifolia (chestnut-leaved). Rodgersia is a genus of flowering plants in the Saxifragaceae family. Rodgersia are herbaceous perennials originating from east Asia. Rodgersia podophylla is native to the island of Honshū in Japan and to Korea. All the other species are found in China, Tibet, and Nepal. The geographical ranges of all but R. nepalensis overlap each other. In their native habitats they grow by streams and in shady moist woodland. In cultivation they thrive in soil that never dries out but is not waterlogged. They will grow in sun under these conditions in good humus rich soil but they are susceptible to sun- and wind-scorch. They are hardy down to Zone 5 but their new growths in the spring can be damaged by late frosts. The thick rhizomes spread just under surface of the soil. Three of the species are clump forming, whereas R. nepalensis and some forms of R. podophylla can cover large areas quite quickly once they are established. The strong leaf stems grow to an average height of about one metre but this depends on the variety and growing conditions. The spread of the compound leaves, especially of R. podophylla, can also be up to one metre making them architectural plants in cultivation. The flowering stems rise above the foliage and the panicles of flowers, although lacking true petals, are spectacular and colourful being white, cream, pink or red except in R. nepalensis which are greeny yellow. The leaves of many varieties are attractive in the Spring when, grown in good light, they have a bronze or copper hue. This is especially beautiful in the Purdomi group of R. aesculifolia which keep a metallic sheen into early summer. In the autumn(fall), the leaves turn attractive shades of coppery-brown. The seed heads are also attractive, those of many R. pinnata are claret coloured which deepens as winter progresses.