Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Rodgersia podophylla ‘Rotlaub’
Red Leaf Rodger’s Flower
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 feet tall
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet wide
- Flower color
- Creamy white
- Foliage color
- Bronze-green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Part shade to full shade
- Water
- High; prefers consistently moist to wet soil
- Maintenance
- Moderate; prune back old foliage in late fall or early spring
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and butterflies; deer resistant
About this plant
Rodgersia podophylla 'Rotlaub' is a striking perennial native to China and Japan, prized for its large, bold, bronze-red palmate leaves that provide a dramatic, tropical look. Forming clumps of deeply lobed foliage, 'Rotlaub' produces tall spikes of small, creamy-white flowers in late spring to early summer, attracting bees and butterflies and creating a delicate contrast to the bold foliage. Thriving in partial to full shade, it is well-suited for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and damp areas, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Center for Urban Horticulture.
