Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Rodgersia 'Bronze Peacock' is my favorite plant in the garden this week…

While it’s true I’ve never met a Rodgersia that I don’t love Rodgersia 'Bronze Peacock' is extra special. Why you might ask? Because it continues to amaze with the color of its new foliage, even in July, when most all of my others have gone green…

I’ve got two plants, both with colorful new growth, and you might notice both tasty to leaf munchers...

I was going to feature this plant in mid June, however since it’s new in my garden this year I thought I’d hold off and see how it handled the heat. It’s a little less colorful than before but still has plenty of dark tones to keep me happy. The photo above was taken June 26th and below on July 6th (after enduring heat topping out at a sunny 97 degrees)…

Another before…

And after…

This particular Rodgersia is still pretty hard to find, Terra Nova lists is as "new for 2013" and I’ve only seen it in 3 nurseries, so grab it when you see it! Here’s their lust inducing description: "The darkest foliage of any Rodgersia. The leaves are thick, glossy, indented and make a great sculptural addition to your woodland garden. Pink flowers emerge in late spring above the mound. In spring, the huge bronze leaves emerge like a peacock's tail! An improvement of an underused, easy to grow perennial. Deep, bronze brown leaves feel like they were hammered out of an ancient metal alloy, so thick and glossy they can't be ignored. Large trusses of tiny pink flowers are a bonus in the spring. Equally dark and dramatic seed heads are long lasting and showy. Compact habit stays within bounds of container or garden. Very choice!"


The stats…
  • Clumping perennial in the Saxifragaceae family
  • USDA hardiness zones: 5-8 (colder climate gardeners rejoice!)
  • Eventual size: 22” tall, 28” wide
  • Prefers: rich, moist, well drained soil in a part shade location
  • Note: Rodgersia resent drought, but will tolerate dry conditions with some shade (according to the folks at Terra Nova)…


I can add, based on personal experience, any Rodgersia will let you know when they’re thirsty by getting all droopy. And if you've put them in too much sun their leaves will not hesitate to crisp up.

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

30 comments:

  1. Pretty! Rogersias are a genus I haven't delved into, but you make this one look pretty enticing. The deep red foliage is gorgeous, and I like its modest size, too.

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    1. Perhaps this is the perfect one for you to get started with...

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  2. This is a great rogersia! I found one somewhere this spring and love d the bronze foliage!
    My favorite plant this week post is here:

    http://www.outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2013/07/hardy-fuchsias-my-favorite-plant-in.html

    Happy Wednesday!

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    1. So you say you found one...but did you buy it?

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    2. Silly Loree, it was all shiny and new and bronzy of course I bought it!

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  3. Very nice. I'm tempted, but expect that I don't have suitable conditions in a deer-free zone. It would be nice if it got a bit larger too, don't you think?

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    1. Actually I'm pretty okay with it's size...

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  4. My 'Bronze Peacock' went in last fall. The slugs went after it big time early on, but I baited and killed and have not needed to repeat now that the leaves have some heft to them. I was about to cut off that annoying pink flower, but after reading this post, I will wait for the seed head.
    Here's my post: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/3180

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    1. I wish I had waited, my pink flower is long gone.

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  5. That's superb! I need to find this

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  6. That is quite something, to have that colour still in the middle of summer. I've taken note of its name...

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    1. I can see it fitting into your garden quite nicely!

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  7. That is beautiful--too warm and dry in my climate, so I will enjoy yours vicariously. How is that Leucadendron 'Ebony'? I was so jealous you got that!

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    1. Guess what next weeks favorite plant is? (it's doing fabulous)

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  8. Pretty colors! and you didn't have to wait until fall....gorgeous

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    1. Oh now you've got me wondering just what it will look like in the fall!

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  9. I bought a Bronze Peacock last fall and put it in my shade garden. It survived fall, winter and spring...though it didn't bloom this spring, and so far has done fine this summer. Our summer has been so wet, unusually wet, so not sure how it will do if we have a summer like last year. I hope it blooms next year so I can see the pink flower. I do love the foliage.

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  10. I'm fortunate to have 2 but am still experimenting with placement. Got too much afternoon sun the first year and, as you cautioned, they crisped up. This spring, I moved them to a much shadier spot (with hostas, hellebores, bleeding hearts) and, though they are growing and flowering, both new and existing leaves are completely green. I'm thinking another move, with some morning sun is in order. Any thoughts? Thanks from Lake Oswego, OR.

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    1. I bought my Bronze Peacock last fall and it wintered over in its gallon pot - despite the snow and cold in January! I just planted it this morning on the east side of the house. It will get morning sun until about 1:00, then it will be shaded by the house the rest of the day. My garden beds are irrigated so it should stay moist. It is sharing space with Stained Glass hostas, variegated Japanese forest grass, Blackout heucheras, Visions astilbe (same color as BP flowers), and a Diablo ninebark. Yes, I have the bronze and green-gold going in that corner! I do surround my hostas with slug bait so I'll put some around BP, also! Colleen from West Linn, OR

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  11. Yellin' HelenOctober 07, 2017

    Just bought my 1st Rodgepsia "Bronze Peacock" at the Saturday Market in Salem. I have yet to decide where its home will be in the garden. If it turns out it doesn't do well where I have put it, are they tricky to move? Also, what is the best way to propagate this plant? Thanks for being there! (BTW, I am no Technical Goddess, and I have no idea if I even have a URL.....)
    Yellin' Helen

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    1. Hi Yellin' Helen (love that name!)...they are pretty easy to move, I've done it several times with no issues. As for the propagation I have no idea! I suck at propagating. Good luck!

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  12. Eastside galJune 10, 2018

    Do rabbits eat this, or any variety of rodgersias? Got a bad bunny population here

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    1. I’m afraid I’m of no help answering this question as I (thankfully) don’t have bunnies in my garden.

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  13. I even wonder if you will see this comment in 2020 ? LOL
    I just again ordered Bronze Peacock (had it once before but I was a bad garden mom to it) .. I am determined this time it will thrive in my garden because it is so darn gorgeous ! Your pictures here are stunning .. I love the mix of plants that show each other off so well ;-)

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    1. Well of course I did! Good luck with your new plant, I hope it does well for you.

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  14. Hello there you ! .. I came across your post yet again on a search because I am worried about this baby ... I planted it last year and I have no experience with when it emerges in the Spring .. I can't find out if it is a later plant or if there is a time frame for when I have to throw in the towel with a no show . I am in 5b .. do you have any experience that could shine a light on what is happening for me ? thanks for any info ! Joy

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    1. Just last night I commented on a friend's Facebook thread that my 'Bronze Peacock' are a no-show this year! She reminded me that they're always late and to not give up hope. So, there's that. I do feel like it is too late though, we've finally had some heat and yet....nothing. I'm sure that's of no help... other than to know you're not alone!

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  15. I was late getting back to you sorry ! But YES ! mine is finally emerging and what a relief .. this was going to be my second try, if it didn't take I was going to give up on this one even though I love that look. I hope yours has also finally woken up too !

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  16. ScrabblegirlMay 21, 2021

    I have one of these... thinking of splitting it using it in a narrow border... ideally would like to have several there...with some annuals in between until I find the right companion plants..,what would you suggest?

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