Rodgersia in full bloom next to my old pond If you like a lush, calming garden, Rodgersia is a key plant, often seen at the RHS Chelsea show gardens. The key to success is keeping it well watered. If you have a boggy area where other plants fail, or the edge of a pond, these are sites where Rodgersia will thrive. However, they will wither during drought or if you forget to water them, so beware. Rodgersia aesculifolia AGM, or the chestnut-leaved Rodgersia, is a large herbaceous perennial.