Rohdea

More Information About Rohdea

Rohdea japonica cultivars are some of the most highly prized plants in Japan...especially the numerous fancy leaf selections of rohdea. The variegated and twisted forms of Rohdea japonica often command prices of $1,000 to $10,000 per division. Because rohdea plants are slow to multiply and have been a perpetual failure in tissue culture, you can be sure they will never be found at mass merchants. When you compare the price of a night on the town with the cost of a special Rohdea japonica selection, (factoring in the duration of enjoyment quotient...indigestion doesn't count) then you will find rohdea plants are really quite reasonable.

The genus rohdea was in the lily family before the taxonomic divorce, and can best be described as evergreen, drought-tolerant hostas. In fall and winter, rohdea produce 6" seed stalks adorned with bright red fruit. Easy-to-grow, Rohdea japonica prefers slightly moist-to-dry woodland garden conditions. We have very old rohdea clumps in the garden growing at the base of black walnut trees...now that is tough!

Contrary to gardening books, Rohdea japonica is reliably hardy to Zone 6 and many friends find them satisfactory shade garden plants in protected areas in Zone 5 although they become deciduous at these temperatures, which will certainly slow their growth. We are thrilled to be able to offer what is probably the largest selection of Rohdea japonica cultivars available in the United States, with more on the way. We are also pleased to offer some of the other fourteen rohdea species, as propagation allows. When you are ready to buy rohdeas for your shade perennial garden, check out our online offerings of rohdea for sale.

In the video below, Tony Avent demonstrates how to divide rohdea.