The Well-Tended Perennial Garden The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

Rheum palmatum var.

tanguticum

ornamental rhubarb

polygonaceae

Stately panicles of pink flowers; enormous

jagged leaves that are bronzy red in spring

6–8 ft. (3–5 ft.) high; 4–6 ft. wide

Full sun–part shade

Blooms May–July

Zones 4–7

pruning This statuesque perennial is

grown for its colossal jagged leaves,

which are colored a rich bronze-red

until late spring or early summer,

when they turn green on the top sides.

The towering flower plumes in early

summer are a fitting accent. The entire

plant dies back to the ground with the

first freeze; clean up the big leaves

then so they don’t smother the crown.

other maintenance Give

ornamental rhubarb plenty of elbow

room in a sunny or partly shaded site

in deep, loamy, moist soil. It needs

above-average moisture to support its

magnificent foliage, but will rot in

constantly wet conditions. Top-dress

with a generous helping of compost

each year. Like edible rhubarb, this

plant is a poor performer in hot,

humid climates. Look for vegetatively

propagated plants, as seed-grown

specimens vary in the amount of red

pigment expressed in their leaves.

Division, though seldom necessary,

may be accomplished in early spring.

All parts are toxic if ingested.

Rodgersia pinnata

featherleaf rodgersia

Saxifragaceae

White, pink, or red goatsbeardlike flowers;

large, pleated, compound green or bronze

leaves

3–4 ft. (2–3 ft.) high; 3–4 ft. wide

Light shade–part shade

Blooms late May–June

Zones 5–7

pruning Deadhead flowers after they

fade so as to better enjoy the outstand-

ing foliage. The foliage is often

damaged by late spring frosts; prune

off damaged leaves to make room for

new growth. Leaves become scorched

and tatty in late summer if not

provided with sufficient moisture. In

Rheum palmatum var.
tanguticum

Rodgersia ‘Bloody Mary’