Looking at it, the common name of featherleaf Rodger's flower is hard to explain. Its leaves are as big as most hostas' and heavily textured...anything but feathery. There is, however, a feathery quality to the spikes of flowers rising 2 feet above that foliage in shades of pink to rosy red.

In the shade garden, Rodgersias give you a bold counterpoint to the delicate airy foliage common to so many shade plants in our area. The leaves of certain varieties can be 2 feet long, giving them the visual impact of a tropical. Yes, they do bloom, but not profusely and not reliably, at least in our climate. The drama's in the foliage. Give them time to get established, dappled sun, and consistent moisture, and they'll thrive. Slugs, rabbits and deer don't bother them.