Rodgersia pinnata 'Chocolate Wings'

Rodgersia 'Chocolate Wings' Featherleaf Rodgersia

Common Name: Featherleaf Rodgersia, Rodger's Flower

A bold perennial of impressive shrub-like size, rodgersia presents huge, beautifully quilted leaves on long stalks. The foliage of 'Chocolate Wings' PPAF transitions through many colors, emerging chocolate brown then changing to green, bronze, and red before returning to brown in fall. Even the flowers go through a color transition, opening a pale pink and darkening to burgundy-red over time. They are produced in early summer on tall stalks well above the foliage, but this selection is mainly grown for its unusual foliage.

Rogersias can be used in mass plantings or as a specimen in shady woodland gardens or at the rear of the flower border. Since they require consistantly moist to wet soil, they can also be used in bog and water gardens.

Height:

10.0 Inches

Spread:

2.0-3.0 Feet

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Pink shades

Foliage Color:

Multicolored

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer

Seasonal Interest:

Dried Seed Heads

Growth Rate:

Slow

Garden Style:

Eclectic

Other Features:

Bog Plant Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Mass Planting Specimen Focal Point

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Rodgersias require moist to wet, humus rich soil in light to full shade. In the south, full shade is recommended. Protect from hot afternoon sun and strong winds. The leaves will become scorched if the soil is too dry or if they receive too much sun without sufficient moisture. If the new leaves are damaged by late spring frost, simply prune them off and new growth will emerge.

Characteristics