Rodgersia podophylla

Family: Saxifragaceae

What it is like

Rodgersia podophylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in) by 2 m (6ft). It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 1.3

Where it is found

Moist woods in the mountains of C. and N. Japan, 700 - 2000 metres. Shaded slopes in Jilin and Liaoning provinces, China.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves. No more details are given.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist to wet but well-drained humus-rich soil in a shady position or a cool sunny place by water but sheltered from hot drying winds. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. Hardy to at least -20°c. Plants spread slowly by means of a stout creeping rhizome, eventually forming large clumps. Hybridizes with other members of this genus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Astilbe podophylla.