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Plant Catalogue Click the initial letter to see our range :
A printable catalogue is available by clicking here. Mail Order Information here

Click name to see details: [ Papaver ] [ Pennisetum ] [ Penstemon ] [ Perovskia ] [ Persicaria ] [ Phlomis ] [ Phlox ] [ Phuopsis ] [ Pimpinella ] [ Potentilla ] [ Pulmonaria ]

Persicaria:

Common Name: Bistort

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. Read more about propagation of these plants in our Garden Diary for October 2009 and also November 2009.

Persicaria amplexicaulis Atrosanguinea in our garden July 2010.

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.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Alba": Pure white variety of this great border plant. Appreciates moist soils but does pretty well in our very dry soil. All 2ft 9in - 3ft tall. Flower June to September.

The epithet amplexicaulis refers to the way the stems are clasped by the leaves and bracts.

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Atrosanguinea": Massed flower spikes in a soft red that tone well with other plants. Forms a spreading clump up to 75cm across and 105cm tall. Flower June to October.

Seen here (right of picture) with Lythrum Dropmore Purple (left of picture) for a vibrant planting companion.

"Blackfield": New variety with slender flowers in deep, almost black red. A real smouldering beauty in our hot bed.

The eagle-eyed will spot the Shield Bug lurking in the picture - see our garden diary for October 2010 for more on this harmless bug.

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Firedance": New variety with orange-red flowers. Up to 3ft tall. Very striking

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Inverleith": Carmine red flowers on shorter 2ft tall plants. Flower June to October. Arose as a chance seedling at Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens and was introduced by Alan Bloom.

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Jo and Guido's Form": Good rose-pink form about 2ft 9in tall and very floriferous

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Orangefield": Another new variety with slender flowers this time with a distinctly orange tone as the name suggests.

Persicaria amplexicaulis "Rosea": Very pale pink flowers on 3ft 3in tall stems. Flower June to October.

Persicaria bistorta "Superba": Large leaves to 25cm high. Pink bottle brush flowers on spikes 60-70cm high. Flowers in flushes between May and September if dead headed.

RHS Award of Garden Merit

Persicaria campanulata: Tallish plants (around 3ft) with corrugated deep green leaves and sprays of tiny bell-shaped (hence the specific name) pink flowers in late sumer and autumn. Stoloniferous - spreads by surface rooting stems - best to cut off and remove in autumn before they root too much if you don't want it to spread.

Read about this plant in our garden diary for October 2010.

Persicaria microcephala "Red Dragon" (PVR): Burgundy and green leaves each with the typical Persicaria chevron mark - in pale green in this case. Small white flowers from August to September. Does need a sheltered spot in winter. It is also wise to protect new growth from late spring frosts, although if frosted new shoots quickly replace those damaged.

1ft 6in - 2ft tall. A clumper that you can propagate (but not for sale!) by cuttings.

Persicaria nepalensis: Low creeping ground cover for shade / part shade. Boldly patterned leaves - redder in sun, best white chevrons in shade - so take your pick. Small white flowers in late summer. A rapid spreader in damp shade. Completely hardy through the winter of 2009/10.

Persicaria virginiana "Painter's Palette": Green and cream leaves with a maroon chevron. 1ft 6in - 2ft. Flowers are mere "mouse tails". Propagate by cuttings.

Although it looks exotic, it has proven hardy in an open spot in our garden through the last two hard winters.

Used to be in the genus Tovara.