Persicaria amplexicaulis 'DARK RED' mountain fleece, red bistort
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,5-1m
usual width
0,3-0,6m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-September
location
full to partial sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
tolerates (but does not demand) wet ground
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Persicaria is a large genus including around 132 plant species, mainly perennials, but also annuals, several sub-shrubs and a few climbers. Perhaps every continent has its own typical species, and the most common one in Europe is Persicaria bistorta. However, in the gardens Persicaria amplexicaulis is probably most sought-after. Its common name is mountain fleece and naturally occupies Himalayas, from Afghanistan to south-eastern China. Its Latin name amplexicaulis refers to the unusual way the leaves embrace the flowering stems.
Description of the plant:
Dark Red is a highly attractive variety of mountain fleece and is considered an improved version of Firetail, the original and very successful variety of similar appearance, just shorter flower spikes. It is a reliable perennial with large leaves and an incredibly long flowering period from July till September. The leaves are broadly lanceolate, up to 25 cm long, conspicuously veined, and their ends embrace the stem with flowers so closely making an impression that the stem cuts through the leaf. They are deep green, matte, and semi-evergreen in mild climates. The stems reach 60-100 cm, and are topped with about 10 cm long, exceptionally longer spikes with dark red flowers whose nectar attracts bees and butterflies all summer long.This large-leaved form of mountain fleece is deservedly popular among gardeners and landscape architects as the plants can offer a perfect ground cover with unusually shaped and healthy leaves with an extra-long blooming time. The clumps with leaves only, before the flowers appear, are at least 40-50 cm high, which will provide enough mass in early spring to cover areas with finished spring bulbs and their leaves which need to remain on the plant but as they wither, they do not bring much beauty as the season progresses. And the dark ruby red flowers are a great combination with other perennials with different colours that bloom at the same time and require similar conditions such as anemone, rudbeckia, aster, tall salvia and nepeta, etc. And if you love the jungle-like large-leaved vegetation, use it as an understory for taller plants like gunnera, tetrapanax or magnolia grandiflora.
Talking of all its benefits, mountain fleece needs to be mentioned also in the field of … the field. I mean the ground because it tolerates hard and compacted (often clay) soil and occasional waterlogging. Truth is, it may take a little longer to establish in your border but once it does, it grows into beauty and space without being invasive. Sometimes it seeds around scarcely. It does not like drought and if the summer is hot and without precipitation, it will appreciate extra watering for which it will immediately thank you. It is hardy to min. -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
Last update 17-09-2024
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
