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Rogersia chestnut leaf is one of the best shade-loving plants. Decorates the garden with attractive foliage of various colors from light green to red-brown, copper and bronze. It blooms mainly in the second half of summer, gives very fragrant flowers, collected in large panicles. At the same time, it retains its decorative effect until mid-autumn.
Description of Rogersia chestnut leaf
Rogersia chestnut leaf is a perennial low plant. For the similarity of leaf plates with horse chestnut, it is also called horse chestnut leaf.
Rogersia is distinguished by a very strong rod system, which is especially well developed in young representatives. As they grow older, the stems give adventitious roots. Moreover, thick rhizomes then give layers directly above the soil surface, capturing a large space.
The height of Rogersia chestnut under favorable conditions reaches 1,5 m (peduncles) and 80-100 cm (the bush itself). At the same time, it is small in width – only 50-60 cm. The plants are compact, they look very beautiful. The leaves are palmate-separate type, form a spectacular curtain. Young foliage is red-brown, then turns green. They are very large, up to 50 cm wide.
The plates are well textured. Their coloring is varied, including a hint of copper, bronze or metal. The leaves of Rogersia chestnut leaf are well attached to powerful stems. Shoots of upright type, sprawling, bend well enough on the sides. Therefore, they do not break even under gusts of strong wind.
The flowers are quite dense, fragrant, white. Also large in size, they gather in paniculate inflorescences up to 30 cm high. They appear in the second half of summer, the flowering of chestnut-leaved Rogersia lasts until the end of August (total period 4-6 weeks). After that, fruits are formed – boxes.
Varieties of Rogersia chestnut leaf
In nature, Rogersia grows on the Japanese islands, in Southeast Asia, on the Korean Peninsula. It is also found in Tibet, Nepal and China. Only five species of chestnut-leaved Rogersia are known. However, breeders managed to bring out several dozen varieties. Many of them can be grown in the climatic conditions of Our Country (up to the Urals):
- Rogersia stopifolia is a beautiful variety with brownish-red leaves. In height, the shrub can reach 1,6 m. It blooms in the second half of June.
- Elderberry Rogersia is a low shrub, reaching only 60 cm. The leaves are large, bright green. Differs in unpretentiousness.
- Rogersia pinnate is a beautiful shrub with leaf plates of various shapes. The color is bright green, and by autumn it becomes bronze-red.
- Rogersia Nepalese is distinguished by the shape of the leaves: the petioles are elongated, notches are visible on the edge. The coloration is quite interesting – from light yellow to greenish-blue shades.
Planting Rogers chestnut leaf
Landing can be scheduled for both autumn and spring. The first option is more preferable, because after wintering the plant takes root in a new place, and in the spring it starts growing. The site should be prepared in advance. The soil is dug up and fertilized with compost or humus in the amount of 10 kg per 1 m2. If the soil is too heavy, clayey, it must be enriched with sand or sawdust – up to 5 kg for the same area.
Rogersia chestnut leaf is quite demanding on the soil. She prefers loose and fertile soils; loam with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction (pH in the range of 6-7) is well suited. If in doubt, you can check this indicator using indicator paper or a special device (pH meter).
At the same time, chestnut-leaved Rogersia is undemanding to the very place of cultivation. It can be planted in shade or partial shade. It is undesirable to make a flower bed in the sun, because the plant is used to the lack of sunlight. The soil should be dry, without stagnant water after rain. It is advisable to place a flower bed near shrubs or buildings that protect flowers from through winds.
When planting Rogersia chestnut leaf, you need to act like this:
- Prepare a planting hole of such depth and width that the roots of the seedling are placed freely (taken with a small margin).
- Pour a layer of drainage.
- Place the seedling in the center, straighten the roots.
- Then sprinkled with soil and tamped a little, deepening the root collar by 5 cm.
- Water with settled water and mulch with bark, sawdust, peat or other material.
Caring for chestnut leaf
The plant is quite demanding to care, although in general the rules are quite simple. Particular attention should be paid to watering and fertilizing. If done regularly (and at the same time moderately), the bushes will produce lush, beautiful flowers and no less attractive leaves.
Watering and top dressing
Watering Rogersia chestnut leaf is carried out regularly. This is a moisture-loving plant that requires quite a lot of water. Moreover, it should be warm, so the liquid is first defended. If it rains, you should be guided by the weather forecast and give moisture as needed. Regular watering and top dressing will ensure lush flowering.
If there is no precipitation, it is necessary to water the chestnut leaf Rogersia weekly, and during a drought – twice a week. The jet is directed to the root zone, covering the entire space, since the roots grow well. It is important to ensure that the soil never remains dry, but at the same time it is not waterlogged.
After watering, the soil is loosened. This should be done carefully, at a shallow depth, so as not to damage the roots. Mulch is also laid on the surface. To saturate the soil with oxygen, several times during the planting season, chestnut-leaved Rogers spud. This will allow the soil to maintain moisture and normal density. If necessary, weeding is done.
In the first season after planting, it is not necessary to fertilize the plants. But starting from the second year, fertilizing is done regularly. In the spring, chestnut leaf Rogersia especially needs nitrogen. It can be given in the form of ammonium nitrate or urea (15 g per 10 liters).
Further, throughout the season, it is necessary to make complex formulations (with an interval of 3-4 weeks) containing the main components, including phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium and zinc. It is desirable to alternate mineral compositions with organic matter, for example, mullein (1:10) or bird droppings (1:20). It is strictly forbidden to use fresh manure, as it burns the root system and can lead to the death of chestnut leaf Rogersia.
Transfer
Rogersia chestnut leaf transplantation is usually planned for the fall. The procedure is normally done every eight years, as the plants grow old, grow and lose their decorative appearance. But if the flower bed is located in an open place (bright sun) or in a lowland (stagnation of water), transplantation should be carried out in the near future. This is especially important if the plants look unhealthy, the foliage has lost its beautiful color, and the roots have begun to rot.
Only adult, overgrown bushes should be transplanted
Rogersia chestnut leaf should be transplanted at the very beginning of October. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Thoroughly water the soil so that a dense earthen ball forms around the roots.
- The next day, walk around the perimeter with a shovel, then carefully dig and pry the plant with a rake.
- Divide the bush into several parts so that each rhizome is 8-10 cm long.
- Treat with a growth stimulator and transplant into prepared wells.
- On the eve of frost, mulch, cut and, if necessary, cover with agrofiber.
Preparing for the winter Rogersia chestnut leaf
In the second half of summer and early autumn, it is necessary to start preparing chestnut leaf Rogers for the winter period. First, all wilted flower stalks are cut off (if seeds are not needed) and dying foliage.
At the beginning of September, the bushes are spudded, and in October they are cut almost to the root and carefully mulched with dry foliage, peat, humus or other materials. If the winter in the region is not very snowy, they cover it with a non-woven polypropylene fabric with a density of 40-60 g per square meter.
Rogersia chestnut leaf can withstand frosts down to -20 degrees, some varieties down to -25. Therefore, in the south, in the Black Earth region, the regions of the North Caucasus, it can be grown without shelter. In other areas, be sure to make mulch and lay agrofibre. The film cannot be used, because because of it the plant will overheat and may even die due to temperature changes.
Diseases of Rogersia chestnut leaf
The Rogersia chestnut leaf plant has fairly good immunity, but due to regular abuse of watering, it can suffer from root rot. Because of this, the foliage darkens and fades, then dies. We have to transplant the bush to a new place.
The Rogersia chestnut leaf plant can also suffer from a rust fungus. In this case, all diseased leaves and shoots are destroyed, and healthy parts of the shrub are treated with fungicides:
- “Bordeaux liquid”;
- “RAW”;
- “Abiga Peak”;
- “Maksim”.
Rogersia is quite resistant to diseases
Reproduction
Rogersia chestnut leaf can be propagated in several ways. As a rule, it is bred by cuttings or dividing the bush, but new seedlings can also be obtained from seeds. The main methods are described below.
Seeds
Seeds are purchased from trusted suppliers and sown in a moist, fertile soil mixture as early as March. They put it in a room with zero temperature for two weeks, then they grow it in cool conditions (10-15 degrees), water it regularly.
As soon as the seedlings grow up to 15 cm, they are seated in separate pots. Then continue to grow at home. In early autumn, they are transferred to the garden, then cut and carefully mulched for the winter.
Cuttings
Cuttings of chestnut-leaved Rogersia are traditionally planned for the beginning of summer. To do this, cut off several young shoots 10-15 cm long, shorten the leaves by half, make an oblique lower and straight upper cut. Then put in a growth stimulator solution overnight and transferred to moist, fertile soil. They are grown until autumn in a jig, transplanted to a permanent place, after which they are mulched for the winter.
By dividing the bush
The division of the chestnut-leaved Rogersia bush begins in early October. The bush is dug up and the rhizome is cut into several sections with healthy buds. They are treated with a growth stimulant solution, then planted 5-7 cm into fertile soil. You need to grow in pots in cool conditions (temperature up to 10 degrees). At the end of May, the sprouts of Rogersia chestnut leaf are transplanted into open ground.
Why Rogersia chestnut leaf does not bloom
Sometimes the plant may stop flowering. In most cases, the causes of this phenomenon are associated with improper care:
- Infertile, too dense soil – it is necessary to transplant, introducing a fertile mixture with humus, peat and sand into the planting hole.
- Too much sunlight – the flower bed should be in partial shade.
- Through winds.
- Dry air, insufficient watering.
- Also, chestnut-leaved Rogersia may stop blooming due to disease.
- Lack or irregular feeding.
If the plant does not bloom, the reason is almost always associated with improper care.
Rogersia chestnut leaf in landscape design
The compact size of chestnut-leaved Rogersia allows it to be grown in any area. The shrub is decorative throughout the season. It decorates the garden with beautiful foliage, as well as pleasant, fragrant flowers. And after they wither, the plant again gains greenery, thanks to which it again looks attractive.
Rogersia chestnut leaf is used in flower beds, which are located in partial shade. It can be used for single plantings and various compositions with woody perennials. Used in plantings along the perimeter of paths and flower beds, as a border plant. Great for artificial ponds. Harmonizes with low shrubs, dwarf, creeping conifers, for example, with thuja and juniper.
Some options for using Rogersia chestnut leaf in landscape design are presented below:
- Landing next to the track.
- Single landing.
- Group planting Rogers.
- Flowerbed decorated with stones.
Conclusion
Rogersia chestnut leaf adorns the garden in large leaves with an attractive color and pronounced texture. This is a very interesting plant that is well suited for growing in shady and dry areas. Looks harmonious in a single landing and different compositions.
