Rodgersia aesculifolia var. henrici

The  Rodgersia aesculifolia var. henrici is a natural variety of Rodgersia with chestnut-like leaflets. It is one of its most spectacular forms with its summer flowering in large cloud-like panicles slightly purplish pink. This robust rhizomatous perennial also surprises with its powerful growth, gathered in a large rounded and bushy clump, composed of particularly elegant large palmate leaves, dark green in colour, glossy and deeply veined. It is a very beautiful,  majestic and lush perennial, a true star of cool and moist places!

The Rodgersia henrici is native to China, found in western Yunnan and Tibet, and belongs to the saxifrage family. From its fleshy and scaly rhizome grows a clump of large pinnate leaves, reaching 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height. The clumps slowly spread to form more than 1 square meter of clumps over time. The foliage of this perennial is distinguished by its resemblance to chestnut leaves. The leaves can reach 50 cm (20in) in length, they are divided into 7 large lanceolate leaflets, embossed, deeply veined, arranged opposite two by two, with a terminal leaflet. What distinguishes the henrici form from the species is its young bronze-purple spring foliage, becoming dark green in summer, and its spectacular pink flowering, emerging in the heart of summer. The plant produces large branched panicles, with robust stems in old rose colour, ranging from 30 to 70 cm (12 to 28in), adorned with clusters of star-shaped flowers initially in deep pink, blooming into fresh pink.

The Rodgersia aesculifolia var. henrici is  a hardy plant despite its exotic and exotic appearance. It appreciates shade and coolness, ideal near water features, in the company of grasses (Miscanthus, in sunny locations) and astilbes, or along the edge of damp woodlands with ferns, tiarellas, ligularias, boehmerias, peltoboykinias, actaeas or heucheras. It tolerates drier conditions, as long as it is planted in shade. Plant it in large numbers to cover the ground along a shaded path, or as a solitary specimen, enhanced by a carpet of golden sagina, candelabra primroses, and the blue flowers of liverworts.