Umbrella Plant (Darmera)
Perennial
- Easily grows in wet and difficult sites!
- Clusters of pink flowers bloom in early spring.
- Broad leaves catch and hold onto the rain.
- Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Zones 5-7, shade/part sun, 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Let this Pacific Northwest native call your garden home! Umbrella plants can easily grow in difficult sites, like boggy areas or alongside ponds, lakes, and streams. It's unbothered by deer and rabbits, making it a good choice for woodland gardens as well.
Details
Common name: Umbrella plant, Indian rhubarb, giant cup
Zone: 5 – 7
Sun exposure: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 3-5' X 3-5'
Flower color: Pink
Foliage color: Green
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Rare & unusual, deer resistant, container plants, best for beginners
Uses: Container, edging, rain gardens, cottage garden, ground cover, massing, small spaces, underplanting, woodland, stream banks, boggy soils
How to Grow
Light: Grows best in part sun (4-6 hours sun) and full shade (< 4 hours sun).
Water: Thrives with average moisture. It prefers moist soils that do not dry out during summer. Does tolerate wet soils, as long as there is some drainage.
Spacing: 2-3 ft.
Fertilizing: It does not require fertilization in nutrient-rich soils. However, if the soil is low in nutrients, apply a small amount of all-purpose garden fertilizer in the spring.
Winterizing: Cut foliage back in the winter and apply a thin layer of mulch to insulate the roots.
Maintenance & pruning: After the flowers fade, cut the flower stems back to keep the planting looking tidy through the seasons.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.