Introduced by Darwin PlantSpotters in 2005, Rodgersia 'Chocolate Wing' still has a special place in its genus.

A plant with ever changing moods, its foliage emerges brown and goes through stages of green and bronze before returning to chocolate-bronze as the season progresses.

It has plenty of clusters of pale pink flowers which deepen gradually to burgundy-red, adding another dimension to the intrigue.

Vital statistics:
Height: 32"/80cm
Spread: 30”/ 75cm
Hardiness: US zones 4-8
Blooms: June-July

The plant destined to be named ‘Chocolate Wing’ was selected by Marco back in 2001 from a batch of seedlings he had been working with for about 7 years.

The plants from which these seedlings were derived were mostly pinnata types, and included well-known varieties such as ‘Superba’ and ‘Elegans’.

'Chocolate Wing's foliage stands out a mile compared to normal Rogersia leaves in the background.

It’s actually quite usual for Rodgersia foliage to emerge brown, but normally changing to green pretty quickly. ‘Chocolate Wing’ differs in that the leaves retain a more bronze hue, gradually turning red and eventually brown again.

The colour range is pretty broad, and can be effected by light and other conditions.

This selection of leaves shows the range of colours 'Chocolate Wing's foliage goes through.

But that’s not all that R. ‘Chocolate Wing’ has to offer, because the flowers also undergo a series of colour changes which eventually sees them end up a dramatic burgundy.

Flowers change colour from pale to dark, left to right.