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A cultivar that is often raised from seed, its exact attributes vary according the the observer. In the Bressingham Gardens catalogue for 1981 it says: "The creamy white flowers are more prominent and sweetly scented in this rare form." In their seed list for 1986 Jim and Jenny Archibald say: "Creamy-white flowered form of this superlative foliage plant.1.5m." But follow it up in 1988 with: "Raspberry-pink flowers. Wrinkled, bronzer foliage. 1m. Will not come 100% true." The truth is, you can't be sure what you will get under the name 'Elegans'. I have always taken it to refer the white flowered plants but experience can contradict that. This one was given to me as the "best form" and I was handed a pinch of salt to take with it! In more modern times, Ballyrobert Gardens say: "Rodgersia pinnata 'Elegans' is a large dramatic plant with long, glossy, textured, dark green, bronze tinted leaves that have sharply serrated edges. Clusters of petal-less rose-cream scented flowers make a terrific show. Great autumn colour." And Dorset Perennials say: "Rodgersia pinnata 'Elegans'. Handsome leaves for moist shade – According to Dan Hinckley, the best form of Rodgersia pinnata. Standing up to 3ft tall the leaves are rough in texture, well rounded in form, burnished when young and colouring excellently in autumn. The flowers are carried on broad pagodas, a fluffy cream base, well tinted rosy pink. When the flowers are over the seed cases make fine ruddy brown decorations. Originally selected form the garden of Helen Dillon in Ireland." |
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| 12th June 2015 | ||