Description
Persicaria – Aconogonon – Bistorta – Polygonum – Tovara – Fleeceflower – Knotweed –
There are 50-80 species of vigorous annuals, often rhizomatous or stoloniferous perennial, and rarely subshrubs in the Polygonaceae family in this genus. They may be evergreen, semi evergreen, or deciduous, some with attractive red and gold autumn color. They are found in a variety of habitats worldwide. Often spreading and sometimes invasive, they have usually fleshy stems and simple, smooth edged, veined leaves: basal leaves are long stalked, stem leaves are fewer, smaller, alternate, and stalkless that are rounded, lance, or heart shaped and 1 ½-10″ long, depending on the species. It bears spikes or panicles of small, usually long lasting, funnel, bell, or cup shaped, white, pink, or red flowers are followed by distinctive, usually brownish red, 3 angled or ovoid fruits. Some of the larger perennials are undemanding plants for a border, or as a groundcover, and are suitable for naturalizing in a meadow or woodland garden. Grow smaller species in a large rock garden. Grow smaller species in a large rock garden, or at the front of a border. Contact with all parts may irritate skin, the sap may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.
Grow these easily cultivated plants in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Divide in spring or fall.
Prone to aphids, slugs and snails.
P. vacciniifolia – Polygonum vacciniifolium – This creeping, semi evergreen perennial from the Himalayas grows 8″ tall and at least 20″ wide. From red tinted stems it carries ovate-elliptic, glossy, deep green leaves, to 1″ long, turning red in autumn. In late summer well into autumn it bears bell shaped, bright pink flowers, up to 1/4″ long, held in narrow, upright spikes, to 3″ long.
Zones 8-11
