Create Your Garden

Persicaria amplexicaulis (Mountain Fleece)

Mountain Fleece, Knotweed, Bistort, Polygonum amplexicaule

Mountain Fleece, Knotweed, Bistort, Polygonum Amplexicaule, Firetail, Persicaria Firetail, Persicaria Rosea, Persicaria Alba, Persicaria atrosanguineus,

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.

What is Mountain Fleece?

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.

Guide Information

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

Most beautiful Persicaria amplexicaulis varieties

Garden Design with Mountain Fleece

Persicaria amplexicaulis, or Mountain Fleece, is a versatile plant that can bring visual interest and color to many garden designs.

  • Borders and Beds: Mountain Fleece is excellent for adding height and color to perennial borders. The plant’s upright, clump-forming habit and vibrant red flowers make it a great choice for the middle or back of the border, where it can provide a striking contrast to plants with softer colors or different textures. It’s particularly effective when mass-planted, creating a vibrant swath of color.
  • Cottage Gardens: With its natural, unfussy look and long blooming period, Mountain Fleece fits right into a cottage garden. It pairs well with traditional cottage garden plants like lavender, roses, and phlox.
  • Water Features and Ponds: Mountain Fleece is suitable for planting near water features or pond edges because of its moisture-loving nature. The red flowers can provide a beautiful reflection on the water’s surface.
  • Pollinator Gardens: Mountain Fleece is an excellent addition to gardens designed to attract bees and butterflies. The plant’s long blooming period provides a reliable source of nectar for many types of pollinators from early summer until frost.
  • Combining with Other Plants: Mountain Fleece pairs beautifully with a variety of plants. Try it with grasses like Miscanthus for a contrast in texture. Or combine it with plants that have white, blue, or purple flowers for a striking color contrast, such as Asters, Veronica, or Russian Sage.
  • Container Planting: Although it’s a larger perennial, Mountain Fleece can be used in container plantings where its vibrant color will stand out. It’s best used in large containers and paired with lower-growing plants that will spill over the sides.

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.

Companion Plants for Mountain Fleece

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass)
Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)
Nepeta (Catmint)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)
Helenium (Sneezeweed)
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

Growing Tips

Growing Persicaria amplexicaulis, or Mountain Fleece, is relatively straightforward with these steps:

  • Location: Choose a spot in full sun to partial shade. Mountain Fleece can tolerate a variety of light conditions but blooms best in full sun.
  • Soil: Plant your Mountain Fleece in well-drained, moist soil. The plant prefers fertile soil enriched with organic matter, but it’s quite adaptable to many soil types as long as they are not overly dry.
  • Planting: Space plants about 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) apart to allow for growth. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole, gently firm the soil around the plant’s base, and water well.
  • Watering: Mountain Fleece prefers consistently moist soil. It’s important to water regularly, especially in dry periods, but ensure that the site has good drainage as the plant doesn’t like waterlogged conditions.
  • Mulching: A layer of mulch can help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant, leaving some space around the stem to prevent rot.
  • Fertilizing: If planted in fertile soil, additional fertilizing may not be necessary. However, if your soil is poor, a balanced slow-release fertilizer in the spring can help support growth and flowering.
  • Pruning: Mountain Fleece does not generally require pruning. However, deadheading spent flowers can encourage further blooming. In late fall or early spring, cut back old stems to ground level to make room for new growth.
  • Pests and Diseases: Mountain Fleece is fairly resistant to pests and diseases. However, watch for signs of trouble, like leaf spots or stem rot, especially in damp conditions.
  • Propagation: Mountain Fleece can be divided in spring or fall. This not only helps control the plant’s spread but gives you new plants for other parts of the garden or to share.

By providing the right conditions and care, you can enjoy the vibrant colors and long blooming period of Mountain Fleece in your garden.

Compare All Persicaria
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Persicaria
Guides with
Persicaria
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

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
Compare All Persicaria
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Persicaria
Guides with
Persicaria

Related Items

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    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.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    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.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone