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.

Schefflera-land, all planted up…

When last I posted about Schefflera-land it had just earned the name after having been planted up with both S. delavayi and S. taiwaniana. Since then I’ve been busy adding to the plantings and I’m happy to say things are filling in nicely…

My only frustration is the plants on either end are so much larger than those in the middle, having been in place long before the hydrangea was removed. Hopefully the new hostas and ferns will catch up (maybe next season?) and the prized Schefflera delavayi will attain its rightful status as king of the border sooner rather than later. The S. taiwaniana has a couple of years on it though...

You might remember when the hydrangea was first removed I was unhappy with the fact I could see all the way to the patio from the backdoor and entrance to the garden. It's not quite so bad anymore…

Of course the fact that Clifford (the Magnolia macrophylla) has leafed out helps too.

Here’s a close up look at the entire planting border starting at the east side as you enter the garden and walking towards the patio. I’ll try to name as many plants as possible. (L-R) Fatsia polycarpa ‘Needhams’s Lace,’ Solomon’s Seal working its way through Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron,' a couple of hostas whose names I don't know, and up against the garage and rusted metal trellis is the Schefflera delavayi (S. taiwaniana peeking through on the far right).

I love the blue hostas! Unfortuantely so do the slugs and other critters.

The S. delavayi has pushed out several new leaves…

Notice the leaf stems of the older growth have turned red. I love the way this looks and it never occurred to me that it could be a problem until just now when I tried to find the proper plant term for the leaf stems. I found several cannabis forums addressing red leaf stems and evidently it’s a sign of nutrient deficiency. Anyone care to share their thoughts on the red stems, should I be concerned??

I’m very happy with the placement of the Impatiens omeiana peeking out from under the Schefflera.

There are also a few Alchemilla mollis tucked in here and there. These were divisions from my mom’s plant. I wonder did the small hosta come from her garden or somehow from mine?

Here’s the middle, where the smaller plants start; Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock,' next to it a painted fern (Athyrium niponicum, not sure which one), planted at the base of the trellis and just starting to grow up is a 'Cardinal Climber' Ipomoea multifida, and Epimedium wushanense in the lower center of the photo.

That same area but with the camera pulled back a bit.

I repeated the Rodgersia (here it’s R. podophylla ‘Bronze Form’) and painted fern combo a few times.

I moved my (long abused) Metapanax delavayi here where it can finally get a little more light and be better appreciated, lots of new bright green growth!

At its feet another Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ with Pyrrosia hastata (on the left).

In the middle between the two trellis are a Disporopsis pernyi fronted by Ligularia 'Osiris Cafe Noir.'

Paris polyphylla (Heronswood form), which was a gift from a garden visitor last summer (thank you Sutter!), it's come back even bigger this year...

The far west side of this border is made up of established plants, with the exception of a few hosta and a couple painted ferns…

...and this Peltoboykinia watanabei which is tucked in at the base of one of the trellis.

I hope I don’t fall out of love with painted ferns anytime soon. As you can see I included quite a few of them.

I also found room for a few more Adiantum venustum (Himalayan Maidenhair Fern).

Established hostas (I don’t know why but I’ve never managed to hang onto their tags and learn their names), Podophyllum peltatum, and Syneilesis aconitifolia.

And finally a shot of the Clematis tibetana var. vernayi on one of the trellis.

Make that two shots, that last one was kind of hard to see.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Schefflera-land! (which I probably should be calling Araliaceae-land with the Metapanax delavayi and Fatsia polycarpa in there too but that just doesn’t have the same ring does it?) I can honestly say I don’t miss that hydrangea one bit…

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