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Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia

Rodgersia aesculifolia 'Big Mama'

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Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia 'Big Mama') at A Very Successful Garden Center

Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia foliage

Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  4 feet

Flower Height:  6 feet

Spacing:  4 feet

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Description:

Resembling leaves of a horse-chestnut, this Chinese native requires a large area to grow and display its huge plumes of pink shaded flowers ranging in length from 18 to 24 inches over the these towering plants; one is an ideal specimen in the garden

Ornamental Features

Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia features bold plumes of shell pink flowers with pink overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large serrated oval palmate leaves emerge brown in spring, turning lime green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous coppery-bronze in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia is an herbaceous perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Vertical Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Big Mama Fingerleaf Rodgersia will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity extending to 6 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 6 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 4 feet apart. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Articulation  Massing  Garden  Groundcover  Bog 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features