Rodgersia pinnata 'CHOCOLATE WINGS'

Rodgersia is a majestic looking perennial for lovers of dramatic shapes and sizes. Rodgersia pinnata has palmately divided leaves composed of 5 large, broadly lance-shaped, and heavily veined, mid green leaflets with serrated margins. They grow along the leaf stalks in short but visible distances.

Chocolate Wings is a fantastic rodgersia variety selected by Dutch breeder Marco van Noort for its beautiful chocolate brown foliage colour. Leaves emerge bronze-brown in early spring and before the flowers are produced they mature to chocolate brown with deep purple red hues. They are deciduous, rugose, compound, made of 7 narrowly ovate leaflets with serrated margins, and the entire leaf can measure up to 40 cm across. In early summer rise 50-90 cm tall, dark maroon stems with loose, plume-like panicles composed of tiny, fragrant flowers. They are pale pink and open from purple red buds. Individual flowers are tiny and star-shaped and resemble those of stonecrop.

Thanks to its bold foliage that looks as if the plant escaped from rainforest jungle, this architectural plant ideally fits in exotic borders. It grows best in shaded and partially shaded locations since filtered sunlight never causes sun scorch which is usual on sunny locations with dry soil. However, dark-leaved varieties need at least half a day of direct sunlight to produce reliable colour. In such a location they will obviously require regular watering. It is a tuberous perennial forming a dense clump, slowly spreading but not invading its surroundings. The soil should be humus-rich and loose, never compacted. Keep it constantly moist for best results. Fully hardy to approx. -30 °C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 21-10-2022