Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort)

Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort) is a lovely herbaceous perennial with both terrestrial and aquatic forms. Blooming sporadically from mid-summer into fall, for about 2-3 months, it boasts charming bottlebrush-like, hot pink flowers at the top of the stems, each 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm). The terrestrial plant grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) with either unbranched or sparingly branched, leafy stems. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, medium to dark green above and paler green and glabrous beneath. The aquatic plant grows up to 6 ft. long (180 cm) with long, up to 8 in. (20 cm), narrow, floating, glabrous leaves often tinged in red and with a prominent midrib. Persicaria amphibia is cultivated as an ornamental water garden plant.

• Grows up to 1-6 ft. tall (30-180 cm). This plant assumes a terrestrial form when it is planted on wet ground or shallow water, while in deeper water it assumes an aquatic form.
• Full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in moist soils or as much as 4 ft. (120 cm) of water over its crown. For optimal growth, place the plant in 12-18 in. of water (30-45 cm)
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Propagate by cuttings but can also be grown from seed sown on moist soil.
• Native to North America.