Even in a genus grown for its foliage, shieldleaf Rodgersia stands out. The round leaves look like giant nasturtium leaves two to three feet across. They're a beautiful fresh light green in spring, maturing to a rich green by mid summer. And the white, astilbe-like flowers can reach five feet tall, a dramatic presence in the shade.

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.