Persicaria amplexicaulis
Red Bistort
Description
Source: leafsnapBistorta amplexicaulis (synonym Persicaria amplexicaulis), the red bistort or mountain fleece, is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae, native to China, the Himalayas, and Pakistan. It is a damp-loving herbaceous perennial growing to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall and wide, with heart-shaped pointed leaves, downy beneath, and narrow spikes of rose-red or white flowers in summer.Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, including 'Firetail'.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Red bistort does best with ample sunlight but can tolerate light shade. Its light requirements change during its life cycle, especially in the bud and flower phases when it needs abundant sun. It naturally occurs in sun-drenched habitats. Excessive sun can impede its growth, while insufficient light leads to poor flowering.
🌡️ Temperature 5–32.2°C
Red bistort grows well in many environments but especially prefers temperatures of 41 to 89.6 °F (5 to 32 ℃). During different seasons, the gardener must carefully monitor and adjust the temperature to keep it within this range for optimal growth.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 5-6
🌱 Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize Red bistort is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and starts active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although Red bistort has fairly low fertilizer requirements, an annual application can boost its survival and encourage improved, longer-lasting flowers.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Persicaria
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 4-8
- Mature Height
- 1.22 m
- Mature Spread
- 1.22 m
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Pink, Red
- Flower Size
- 0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
- Planting Time
- Spring
- Harvest Time
- Mid summer
- Native Area
- Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China