Rogersia (Rodgersia) is a unique perennial plant from the Saxifrage family. Found on the coast of the Japanese islands, China and South Korea. Wild stands stand out against the background of other vegetation with wide foliage dissected into lobes and attract attention.
Some species of Rogers climb shady forest lawns, where the sun's rays touch them only in the morning and evening. The flower, due to its ability to survive in the shade, will perfectly decorate the remote corners of the garden. The flowering stage is accompanied by the blooming of beautiful long inflorescences that exquisitely surround the crown.
Description of the plant
The main advantage of Rogers is its powerful pivotal root system. The older the bushes, the more root branches containing buds are formed. Stems are spreading and erect, widely bent to the sides. Growth in the wild under favorable weather conditions can reach up to 1.5 m.
In addition to a strong rhizome, the flower has feathery large leaves. The length of the plates in adult specimens sometimes reaches half a meter. Petiole leaves with a long base are colored green or red. The color changes throughout the season and depends on the ambient temperature, and the shape resembles a chestnut leaf.
Vigorous flowering is expected in mid-summer and lasts for several weeks. Blooming panicles, collected from numerous small buds, rise above the crown at this time. The petals are purple, white or beige. Rogersia's scent wafts far beyond the garden. When the bud heads wilt, the bushes will begin to grow foliage with renewed vigor.
In place of the pollinated ovaries, tiny stellate achenes appear, covered with a light green peel, which begins to turn red over time.
Types and varieties of Rogers with photos
According to botanical research, it was possible to identify 8 main species of Rogers, not counting the decorative varieties.
Rogersia chestnut or horse chestnut (Rodgersia aesculifolia)
The flower is very popular among domestic gardeners. The height of leafy shoots ranges from 0.8 to 1.8 m. The leaf blades are similar to the horse chestnut. Long petioles, on which the leaves are attached, grow over the entire surface of the stem. The plates shimmer in the light with a bronze coating. In the summer months, the pattern disappears, but by autumn it reappears on the leaves. The height of the peduncles is from 1.2 to 1.4 m. Pink or white paniculate inflorescences look thick and lush.
The most common varieties of this type of Rogers include Henrici, but its height is slightly less than that of the original species. Due to the dark petioles, the leaves acquire a faint coffee hue. With the arrival of autumn, the greenery fades and becomes a bronze tone. Inflorescences are formed from cream or pink petals.The difference in color depends on the composition of the soil.
Rogersia pinnata (Rodgersia pinnata)
A semi-shrub of medium length. At the peak of flowering, the crown height does not exceed 60 cm. The leaves are divided into lobes, like those of rowan leaves. The ends of the plates in the warm season are covered with a red canvas. The buds are creamy or purple in tone. The plant shows a tendency to bloom later than other species. Among the most famous varieties of Rogers pinnate, it is worth highlighting:
- Borodin - flaunts with white thick panicles;
- Chocolate Wings - blooms with red or pink buds, which at the end of the season transform into fragrant chocolate ovaries;
- Superba - the plant is characterized by massive pink clusters of flowers, edged with a strip of brick shade.
Rogersia podophyllum or podophyllum (Rodgersia podophylla)
Perennial easily tolerates dry weather. The crown is capable of lengthening up to one and a half meters. Bronze leaves have a glossy sheen. When the bushes begin to bloom, the shoots are covered with creamy paniculate buds.
Reproduction of Rogers
Rogersia reproduces either by seed or vegetatively.
Growing from seeds
Seed propagation will require endurance and patience. Without preparatory work, the seed will not bring results. The sowing depth should be no more than 2 cm. The containers must be filled with a nutritious and breathable substrate. It is allowed to store containers with seedlings under a canopy in the fresh air so that the seeds can properly stratify. Then the containers are brought to the veranda or to another room where the air temperature does not exceed 15 ° C.
The first shoots should be expected after a couple of weeks. Seedlings that have grown by 10 cm dive in different pots or into cups. When the month of May comes, young plants need fresh air, so they are transferred to the site directly in pots, and in September they are transplanted. The bushes will delight the owners with flowering only 3-4 years after planting.
Dividing the bush
Strongly overgrown Rogersia bushes need separation. This procedure allows you to rejuvenate and multiply the culture. It is better to plan the event in the spring or autumn. In the spring, the cuttings are allowed to be planted immediately in the ground, and for the winter the seedlings are left in containers filled with soil. The mother bush is dug up, shaken off the ground and the rhizome is cut, keeping at least one bud in each segment.
Cuttings
For grafting, take a leaf and lubricate the tip of the petiole with a growth stimulant. Then immersed in moist, soft soil. When the roots appear, the seedling is transferred to the site along with an earthen clod.
Planting Rogers outdoors
The optimal method of planting Rogers is a shady nook that is away from sunlight and protected from drafts.
A light, drained substrate rich in nutrients is ideal for this crop. Planting a flower is organized next to water bodies, but do not allow the roots to come into contact with water. Groundwater too close has a negative impact on the bushes. The site is dug up in advance, leveled and sprinkled with peat and compost. Dense loams are diluted with sand or gravel.
The depth of planting Rogers in the open field is about 7 cm. Since the bushes tend to grow, they are planted at a distance of at least 80 cm from each other. The procedure is completed with abundant watering and mulching of the top layer.
Rogers care
Caring for Rogers in the garden is quite within the power of novice gardeners.
Watering
Perennial prefers frequent and abundant watering, drying out has a detrimental effect on the development of foliage and shoots. On hot sunny days, greens respond well to spraying.
The soil
The soil will retain moisture by covering the area with mulch. Weeds in this case will not be able to disrupt the growth of seedlings. Instead of mulching, you will have to weed regularly so that the culture does not overgrow.
Fertilizers
If the soil is nutritious enough to provide the roots with the necessary nutrition, it makes no sense to carry out additional fertilizing. In spring, the soil is enriched with compost and mineral fertilizers. Repeated feeding is performed during the period of activation of vegetative processes. They should contain copper, potassium, zinc, magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Wintering
As a rule, severe frosts do not harm the shrub. However, it is still worth preparing the plant for wintering. The ground parts are cut off, leaving a rare crown in the center, which is covered with peat or fallen leaves, and in winter - with snow. In frosty winters, the bushes are wrapped in non-woven material.
Diseases and pests
The susceptibility to disease in Rogers is practically not found. If the soil is excessively waterlogged, rot quickly develops in the roots. Sick foliage and shoots will have to be removed and burned outside the site so that the disease does not spread to healthy plantings, and the plant is sprayed with a fungicidal solution. It should be remembered that slugs like to settle in the shade. Insects eat the juicy greens on the bushes until the stems are completely bare. In the fight against slugs, ash and crushed eggshells are used.
Rogersia in Landscaping
The wide leaf blades of the Rogers are hard to miss. The flower is placed in the shade of trees, along the border of artificial reservoirs, fences, next to buildings and other fences. Dense variegated vegetation serves as an excellent backdrop for any flower bed where ferns flaunt, bells, periwinkle, lungwort or undersized coniferous shrubs. The gaps between the trees are quickly filled with sprawling shoots adorned with lush flowering panicles.
