22/05/2026
Thereās something wonderfully dramatic about giant-leaved plants beside water, and two of my absolute favourites for creating that lush, almost prehistoric look are Rheum palmatum and Darmera peltata šæ Both thrive in moisture-retentive ground, making them ideal companions for riverbanks, pondsides or boggier areas of the garden where other plants might struggle.
š± Rheum palmatum, often known as Chinese rhubarb or ornamental rhubarb, is all about bold architecture. This is a plant that commands attention with enormous deeply cut foliage that can easily stretch well over a metre wide once established. The leaves have an exotic, tropical appearance despite being perfectly hardy in UK and Irish winters. In early summer, towering flower spikes rise dramatically above the foliage, often reaching 2 to 2.5 metres tall, carrying clouds of dusky pink to ruby-red flowers that seem to hover in the air. Even once the blooms fade, the seed heads continue to provide structure and interest. It absolutely relishes damp soil and will thrive in heavy ground that stays consistently moist. Along a riverbank it should settle in beautifully with very little fuss, creating a huge visual impact year after year. If you have space and want something bold, this plant delivers in spades.
š§ Darmera peltata, commonly called umbrella plant or Indian rhubarb, has a completely different but equally magical presence. Before the leaves even emerge in spring, thick stems appear topped with clusters of soft shell-pink flowers, almost hydrangea-like in appearance, hovering above the bare ground. Then come the leaves ā huge rounded lily pad-like foliage that can easily reach dinner-plate size or larger. The foliage creates a wonderfully cooling, woodland-style effect and looks especially beautiful beside moving water. In autumn, those rich green leaves often take on fiery tones of bronze, crimson and copper before dying back for winter. Darmera absolutely adores damp conditions and is happiest in moisture-rich soil that never fully dries out. Itās one of those plants that genuinely looks after itself once established, needing very little maintenance beyond removing old foliage. Along a riverbank it should feel completely at home, giving you that lush, naturalistic planting style with very little effort š§ļøš
