Chestnut-leaved rodgersia Rodgersia aesculifolia
Chestnut-leaved rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Saxifragaceae family, native to Central and north-west China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Yunnan). It grows 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1 m (31 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
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Chestnut-leaved rodgersia at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1 m (31 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central and north-west China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Yunnan) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Chestnut-leaved rodgersia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chestnut-leaved rodgersia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Chestnut-leaved rodgersia
- How far apart should I plant Chestnut-leaved rodgersia?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1 m (31 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Chestnut-leaved rodgersia need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chestnut-leaved rodgersia need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Chestnut-leaved rodgersia?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Chestnut-leaved rodgersia flower?
- From about June for 4–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Chestnut-leaved rodgersia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Chestnut-leaved rodgersia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chestnut-leaved rodgersia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Big, crinkled, bronze-flushed leaves shaped like a horse chestnut’s, and fluffy plumes of white or pink flowers in summer. A bold plant for moist shade by water, spreading slowly by rhizomes.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Astilbe Astilbe x arendsii
- Coral bells (heuchera) Heuchera americana
- Elephant's ears (bergenia) Bergenia cordifolia
- Encrusted saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata
- Purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Strawberry begonia (yukinoshita) Saxifraga stolonifera
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus