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Key characteristics

Family: Saxifragaceae
Height: 36 to 48 inches
Width: 36 to 60 inches
Flower color: Creamy white to soft pink plumes held above the foliage
Foliage color: Large bold palmate leaves emerging bronze in spring and maturing to rich green
Bloom time: Early to mid summer
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Consistent moisture in rich humus soil that remains evenly moist
Maintenance: Low; divide clumps in early spring and provide mulch to retain soil moisture
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Attracts bees and other pollinators

Perennials

Rodgersia podophylla

Rodger's Flower

Rodgersia podophylla forms bold, palmate leaves divided into broad, toothed leaflets that emerge bronze tinted in spring before maturing to deep green. The large foliage creates a substantial presence in shaded plantings. In early to midsummer, tall plumes of creamy white flowers rise above the leaves, composed of many small blooms that open in airy panicles and age to soft pink tones.

Native to woodland regions of Japan and Korea, the species grows along forest margins and moist mountain slopes.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Consistent moisture in rich humus soil that remains evenly moist

Bloom time

Early to mid summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Rain Gardens

Companion plants

Lungworts · Wild ginger · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras

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.