Persicaria

(formally called Polygonum)

Common Names: Bistort, Fleece Flower.

Moisture loving plants with creeping stems and bottle brush flowers throughout the summer, normally in shades of pink and red. There varieties for the rock garden, border and even amphibious ones for the pond.

Whilst they prefer moist soil most will tolerate dry conditions but won't spread so much. Dead head spent blooms by pulling off the flowering stem at its base. This will ensure further flowers throughout the summer.

Propagate by division. Dig up and replant healthy sections every 2 or 3 years to keep in check and avoid the centres of clumps dying out.

Persicaria flowers are very attractive to bees and hoverflies.

Members of the Polygonaceae family

Persicaria affinis Superba

Low creeping stems to 15cm. Pale pink flowers maturing to deep rose in spikes up to 25cm high. Leaves become tinted red in autumn. Flowers May through to September. The variety "Dimity" bred by Alan Bloom is said by the RHS to be identical to this one.

Common Name: Himalayan Fleece Flower

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Persicaria amplexicaulis Alba

Lovely, airy spires of white flowers. Up to 3ft / 90cm tall in flower. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Flowering from July to October.

Persicaria amplexicaulis Dikke Floskes ("Thick 'n' Fluffy"

Shorter than others of the species with thicky flowers. Really nice!

Persicaria amplexicaulis Jo and Guido's Form

Taller mid-pink. Robust performer

Persicaria amplexicaulis Orange Field

Not really orange, but a salmony pink. RHS Award of Garden Merit

Persicaria amplexicaulis Rosea

Very pale pink flowers on 3ft - 4ft / 90-120cm tall stems. Flower June to October.

Persicaria amplexicaulis Rowden Gem

Uniquely coloured lilac-pink flowers on 3ft / 90cm tall stems. Flower June to October.

Persicaria bistorta Superba

Large leaves to 9in / 25cm high. Pink bottle brush flowers on spikes 2ft/ 60cm high. Flowers in flushes between May and September if dead headed.

Great for moist or wet soils but also grows very well in dry semi-shade

RHS Award of Garden Merit

Persicaria filiformis

Lovely chevron-marked leaves. Sprays of tiny, red flowers in late summer and autumn. Lovely. Good in sun or shade.

Persicaria microcephala Purple Fantasy

Exotic looking but perfectly hardy with us. The leaves keep their best colour and patterning in light shade. Up to 2ft tall but we keep it short by pinching out the tips regularly. The small clusters of pink-white flowers are unremarkable but don't spoil the show!

Persicaria neofiliformis

Bushy, clumper about 2ft / 60cm tall. Great for dry shade and completely hardy. Small "tails" of red flowers in late summer but grown mainly for the patterned leaves