Alphabetical Plant Listing

Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort)

Amphibious Bistort, Swamp Smartweed, Water Smartweed, Longroot Smartweed, Water Knotweed, Polygonum amphibium


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.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Persicaria - Fleeceflowers
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 1' – 6' (30cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

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Agata Kowalczyk, Miroslav Hlavko, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Persicaria - Fleeceflowers
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 1' – 6' (30cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Persicaria - Fleeceflowers

Guides with Persicaria - Fleeceflowers

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