Alphabetical Plant Listing

Persicaria bistorta 'Superba' (Bistort)

Bistort 'Superba', Knotweed 'Superba', Adderwortel, Polygonum bistorta 'Superbum'


Ideal for partially shaded gardens, award-winning Persicaria bistorta 'Superba' is a vigorous European Bistort cultivar that elegantly displays dense, bottlebrush-like spikes of tiny pink flowers, 4-6 in. long (10-12 cm) atop leafless stems rising well above the foliage in late spring to early summer. Semi-evergreen, this handsome perennial plant may also re-bloom into fall. A brilliant way of coloring shady areas!

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society, this plant is very versatile and can be used as a groundcover or as an edging specimen, mixed with other spring flowering bulbs, and other perennials in partially shaded beds, borders, in cottage gardens or along streams, ponds or bog gardens.
  • Spreads slowly by rhizomes and easily grows in clumps, up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. across (45-60 cm). Foliage consists of large, 8 in. long (20 cm), lance-shaped, dark green leaves with a white midrib which turns an attractive red in fall.
  • Full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in average, moist to wet soils. While drought tolerant, this plant prefers moist, fertile soils that do not dry out (flowering might decrease in drier soils).
  • Virtually pest-free and low maintenance, Bistort attracts birds and butterflies, but deer and rabbits will ignore it!
  • Remove spent flower spikes to promote rebloom.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 7
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Persicaria - Fleeceflowers
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Edging, Ground Covers, Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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Top picture is courtesy of Botanik Foto

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 3 – 7
Heat Zones 1 – 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Persicaria - Fleeceflowers
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Edging, Ground Covers, Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Persicaria - Fleeceflowers

Guides with Persicaria - Fleeceflowers

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