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Home > Plant profiles > Persicaria ‘Superba’
Persicaria ‘Superba’
 Botanical name: Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’, Polygonum bistorta.
Common names: Knotweed, snake root, fleeceflower and bistort.
History: ‘Superba’ is derived from the more common Bistort, a native of Britain. The perennial plant of the buckwheat family was found in Britain. It contains a lot of tannin, which gives it astringent properties and led to its use in medicine.
Origin: Europe, Asia.
Name: Persicaria a Medieval name referring to the likeness of the leaves to a peach tree, bistorta meaning twice-twisted. Once known as Polygonum because Poly means many, gonu means knee joints within its stem.
Comments: A useful and beautiful plant for most soils although the flowering period is lengthened when in moist ground. A good bog garden plant that is grown for their handsome spiked flowers. In summer these dense, cylindrical spikes of tiny pale pink flowers are borne atop of thin stems. Myriads of crepe paper-like dark green leaves in curly festoons decorate the base of these showy and long lasting 4–5 in. spikes of pale pink flowers. This Persicaria is perfect for cutting and admirable in a border next to any blue-leafed plant. Clump forming, it can easily be divided annually in spring or autumn.
Tips: They should be grown in cool, fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade. These plants may crowd out other plants so take care when selecting a site. A beautiful, strong clump-forming plant with masses of broad, basal leaves. The branching stems appear from the leaves to bear their bottlebrush flower heads of cool pink. This coarse leaved plant suits a sunny border, can be used as a ground cover or as a contrast plant. The unusual flowers make them a valuable addition to any herbaceous border.
Contacts:
www.gardenweb.com
www.hortiplex.gardenweb.com
Family: Polygonaceae.
Plant type: Evergreen perennial.
Size (HxW): 60cm x 40cm.
Depth and spacing: Plant to the same level as in the pot and 40cm apart.
Watering: Keep moist throughout the growing season.
Frost tolerances: Fully hardy.
Flowering time: Summer to autumn.
Soil: Any moist soil but can also tolerate dry soil.
Aspect: Full sun to semi-shade.
Climate: Cool to temperate.
Fertilizer: General purpose fertilizer annually in spring.
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