Rodgersia pinnata 'Hercules'

I've always loved the bold texture of rodgersias, which is probably why I've always done such a good job at killing them. Actually these are tough as rocks in cooler climates but hate our hot summer nights. Having seen limited success in Zone 7b, I'm giving them another try. The bold basal leaves of R. 'Hercules' emerge a beautiful pleated reddish-bronze before turning green when hot weather arrives. In summer, the clumps give rise to 40" branched spikes of pink bottlebrush-like flowers. Rodgersias prefer rich moist soil, although where we found them in the wild in China, they were growing in rocky open prairies...go figure.