Overview
Darmera peltata is a clump forming bogs in the genus Darmera, part of the Saxifragaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1-1.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Darmera peltata grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates clay and loam soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and flower borders and beds. It is native to California and Oregon.
About
Darmera peltata, the Indian rhubarb or umbrella plant, is a flowering plant, the only species within the genus Darmera in the family Saxifragaceae. It is a slowly spreading rhizomatous perennial native to mountain streamsides in woodland in the western United States (western Oregon to northwestern California), growing to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall by 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide. In late spring the flowers emerge before the leaves, with rounded cymes of numerous five-petalled white to bright pink flowers (measuring up to 1.5 cm across each) borne on flower stems up to 2m long. The leaves, up to 60 cm (24 in) long and wide, are peltate, rounded, deeply lobed, coarsely toothed, conspicuously veined and dark green, also on stems petioles up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) height. It grows to around 1-1.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and clay and loam soil.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Darmera
About the genus
Darmera peltata, the Indian rhubarb or umbrella plant, is a flowering plant, the only species within the genus Darmera in the family Saxifragaceae. It is a slowly spreading rhizomatous perennial native to mountain streamsides in woodland in the western United States, growing to 2 m tall by 1 m wide. The name Darmera honors Karl Darmer, a 19th-century German horticulturist.
Wikipedia contributors, "Darmera", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Darmera
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Darmera
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Darmera peltata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bogs, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- California, Oregon
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Darmera peltata
- Cultivation
- Prefers moist, humus-rich soil; tolerates wet conditions; benefits from mulching to retain moisture
- Pruning
- Remove dead or damaged leaves in late autumn or early spring before new growth emerges
- Propagation
- Seed sown in containers in spring or autumn, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Darmera peltata?
Prefers moist, humus-rich soil; tolerates wet conditions; benefits from mulching to retain moisture.
Where is the best place to plant Darmera peltata?
Darmera peltata prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Darmera peltata need?
Darmera peltata grows best in clay and loam soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays poorly-drained.
How do I prune Darmera peltata?
Remove dead or damaged leaves in late autumn or early spring before new growth emerges.
How big does Darmera peltata grow?
Darmera peltata reaches a height of 1-1.5 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Darmera peltata hardy in the UK?
Darmera peltata has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Darmera peltata?
Seed sown in containers in spring or autumn, Division in spring.
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