The Story
Plant Bio
Rodgersia pinnata is a bold rhizomatous perennial from southwestern China, forming clumps three to four feet high and as wide. The large basal leaves are pinnately compound with six to nine deeply veined, bronze-tinted leaflets, arranged so they read almost as a palm. Branched plumes of creamy pink to red flowers rise above them in June and July.
The foliage is the long-term point rather than the flowers, and it needs consistent moisture to hold its condition; leaf margins brown and crisp within days of the soil drying. It also dislikes strong wind, which shreds the big leaflets, so a sheltered position in light shade beside water is where it performs.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
42 inches
Width
36 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7
Water
High
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Southwestern China
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in spring in light shade or full sun where soil stays wet.
- Choose deep, organically rich soil that never dries out.
- Site it out of strong wind.
- Water generously through the growing season.
- Mulch thickly each spring to hold moisture.
- Cut spent flower stems and old foliage back in autumn.
Pro Tip
It will take full sun only where the soil is genuinely wet; anywhere drier, light shade is what keeps the leaf margins clean.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Keep the soil moist to wet all season 💧
- Shelter it from strong wind 🌬️
- Mulch deeply each spring 🍂
- Site it beside a pond or stream 🪷
Don't
- Let the soil dry out even briefly ❌
- Plant it in an exposed, windy position ❌
- Put it in full sun in dry ground ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Back | ||||||||||||
| Mulch |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Featherleaf Rodgersia questions
What zones can Featherleaf Rodgersia grow in?
Featherleaf Rodgersia is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Featherleaf Rodgersia deer resistant?
Yes — Featherleaf Rodgersia is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Featherleaf Rodgersia bloom?
Featherleaf Rodgersia typically blooms in early to midsummer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Featherleaf Rodgersia need full sun?
Featherleaf Rodgersia does best in part shade.
More Rodgersia to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Featherleaf Rodgersia with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.