Rodgersia pinnata ‘Bronze Peacock’

A hardy herbaceous perennial from the woodlands of Yunnan and Sichuan in China where they are found in shady, moist locations along streams in dappled shade. They are clump-forming, growing in irregular mounds of firm foliage that can reach 2′ tall and 18″ across.

‘Bronze Peacock’ is a magnificent seasonal performer: an early splosh of rich colour at the beginning of the year with shiny palmate foliage that is deeply textured and sculptural as if hammered from cherry-tinted bronze. Their leaves gradually become greener into summer but retain a dusting of coppery red around their margins. Tall panicles of pink flowers will thrust their way up and over the leaves on strong spires, so there’s a nice floral punch with these plants, too.

While their flowers are decidedly a pretty bonus, we’re heavily into the leaves and general form of Rodgersias because of their texture and sculptural quality. Architectural doesn’t have to mean three stories tall: these plants have a strength and presence to them which though small, has an engineered quality that makes them very impactful.

They ping the light and glimmer when wet, creating terrific contrast in borders among softer, or spikier neighbours. Gorgeous, too, when clustered around the base of delicate trees like Acers where their bold metallic forms can hunker to be tickled softly by their loftier companions’ feathery fronds.

They aren’t at all fussy about soil type or aspect. Happy on moist soils in shade but needing wetter conditions in sunny spots.

Please contact us for stock availability and sizes.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well-watered when first planted.