Rodgersia podophylla

Rodgersia podophylla (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Saxifragaceae

Rodgersia podophylla is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green glossy leaves are deeply palmate with doubly serrate margins, up to 50cm long and 50cm broad. Its leaves are bronze when young and turn bronze red in autumn before they wither. Its white/ pink flowers appears as a terminal panicle above its leaves. Its roots are fleshy rhizomes which aids its slow spread.

Rodgersia podophylla Young Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Rodgersia podophylla, commonly known as Rodgersia, is native to Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows on shaded slopes.

The etymological root of the binomial name Rodgersia is named after Rear Admiral John Rodgers (1812 – 1882), an expedition commander of the US Navy. Podophylla is derived from the Greek podos meaning ‘stalk’ and phyllon meaning ‘leaf’’.

The landscape architect may find Rodgersia podophylla useful as an effective ground cover next to lakes, ponds and streams. It is also suitable for planting in damp woodlands. It likes wet but not waterlogged soils.

Ecologically, Rodgersia podophylla flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Rodgersia podophylla Flower (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Rodgersia podophylla ‘Rotlaub’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Rodgersia podophylla prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Rodgersia podophylla requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring.

 

Darmera peltata

Darmera peltata (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun too light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, poorly drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Saxifragaceae

Darmera peltata Flower (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Darmera peltata is a deciduous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves are rounded, deeply lobed, with doubly serrate margins and up to 45cm across. Its leaves turn red in autumn before they wither. Its pink/ white flowers are up to 15mm across, appear as cymes on tall stems and appear just before the leaves. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread.

Darmera peltata (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Darmera peltata, commonly known as Giant Cup, Umbrella Plant or Indian Rhubarb, is native to western USA. In its native habitat it grows on mountain stream sides in woodland. Darmera peltata is the only species within this genus.

The etymological root of the binomial name Darmera is named after Karl Darmer (1843 1918), a German horticulturist. Peltata is derived from the Latin pelta meaning ‘crescent shaped shield’, in reference to its leaves.

The landscape architect may find Darmera peltata useful as a marginal plant in damp or bogy areas.

Darmera peltata Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Darmera peltata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Darmera peltata their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Darmera peltata prefers moist, fertile, poorly drained to boggy soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Darmera peltata requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring.

Landscape Architecture

Paeonia suffruticosa

Paeonia suffruticosa (18/05/2103, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1.2m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Paeoniaceae

Paeonia suffruticosa Flower (18/05/2103, Kew Gardens, London)

Paeonia suffruticosa is a large flowered woody shrub with a rounded habit. Its dark green leaves are divided into up to nine leaflets, each being ovate/ lanceolate with entire margins, up to 8cm long and 7cm broad. Its brown grey branches tend to be lax and spreading. Its pink/ red flowers are solitary, appear terminally and are up to 17cm across. Its fruit is a follicle, each containing up to five seeds. Its roots are tuberous.

Paeonia suffruticosa Leaf (18/05/2103, Kew Gardens, London)

Paeonia suffruticosa, commonly known as Mudan Peony or a Tree Peony, is native to east China. In its native habitat it grows in scrub on mountains and cliffs. Parts of the roots of this plant are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The etymological root of the binomial name Paeonia is named after Paeon, a Greek physician of the gods who, in mythology, was changed into a flower by Pluto. Suffruticosa is derived from the Latin meaning ‘barely woody’.

The landscape architect may find  Paeonia suffruticosa useful as part of a woodland edge planting scheme in the light dappled shade of trees.

Ecologically, Paeonia suffruticosa is attractive to pollinating insects.

Paeonia suffruticosa Fruit (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Paeonia suffruticosa prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.

Paeonia suffruticosa requires little maintenance. Once planted the roots of this plant should not be disturbed.

Landscape Architecture