Rodgersia podophylla -

Family:	Saxifragaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.3
Width:	2
Synonyms:	Astilbe podophylla.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Rodgersia podophylla () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.3m and a width of 2m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Rodgersia podophylla will flower in December to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Rodgersia podophylla will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Rodgersia podophylla prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rodgersia podophylla can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Moist woods in the mountains of C. and N. Japan, 700 - 2000m[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist to wet but well-drained humus-rich soil in a shady position or a cool sunny place by water but sheltered from hot drying winds[187, 200, 233]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. Hardy to at least -20°c[187]. Plants spread slowly by means of a stout creeping rhizome, eventually forming large clumps[187]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves[105, 177]. No more details are given.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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