Mountain Fleece, Knotweed, Bistort, Polygonum amplexicaule
Persicaria amplexicaulis, commonly known as Mountain Fleece, is a stunning perennial with upright stems adorned with spikes of vibrant flowers, adding a splash of color and texture to the garden.
Persicaria amplexicaulis, commonly known as Mountain Fleece or Red Bistort, is a flowering perennial native to the Himalayas.
Description and Size: The plants are robust and upright, reaching heights of 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall with a similar spread. They are characterized by their bright red, slender, spike-like flowers, which can add a pop of color to any garden.
Growth Habit: The plants form a bushy clump of oval to heart-shaped, mid-green leaves, from which the flowering spikes emerge. Mountain Fleece has a clump-forming growth habit and doesn’t tend to spread aggressively.
Flowers: The standout feature of Persicaria amplexicaulis is its flowers. They are cheerful red, pink, purple, or white and appear in slender, spike-like clusters, 4 inches (10 cm) long. Each flower is quite small, but they are densely packed along the upright flowering spikes.
Blooming Season: The flowering period is exceptionally long, from early summer until the first frost in fall.
Foliage: The leaves are oval to heart-shaped, medium green, and somewhat coarse in texture. They form a lush backdrop for the flowers. The foliage is evergreen in mild climate areas.
Hardiness: Mountain Fleece is hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Uses: This plant is often used in borders and cottage garden schemes for its long flowering period and vibrant colors. It’s also a good choice for a pollinator garden. ideal candidate along ponds and streams or in meadows.
Pollinators: The flowers are attractive to a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Deer and Rabbit: Mountain Fleece is usually resistant to deer and rabbits.
Toxicity: All plant parts may cause skin irritation on contact and stomach upset if ingested.
Invasiveness: While the plant does spread, it is not typically considered invasive. It may self-seed under ideal conditions but is generally well-behaved.
This plant is notable for its long blooming period, its intense red flowers, and its attractiveness to pollinators. Despite its exotic origins in the Himalayas, it is quite adaptable and easy to grow in a range of garden settings.
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Persicaria |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
| Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Chalk, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Persicaria amplexicaulis, or Mountain Fleece, is a versatile plant that can bring visual interest and color to many garden designs.
Remember, like any garden design, consider the growing requirements of each plant to ensure they are compatible. Mountain Fleece prefers a spot in full sun or partial shade and well-drained but moist soil.
Growing Persicaria amplexicaulis, or Mountain Fleece, is relatively straightforward with these steps:
By providing the right conditions and care, you can enjoy the vibrant colors and long blooming period of Mountain Fleece in your garden.
AngieC333/Shutterstock
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Persicaria |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
| Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Chalk, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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