Persicaria bistorta (Common bistort)

Botanical name

Persicaria bistorta

Other names

Common bistort, Adderwort, Dragonwort, Easter giant, Easter ledges, Easter magiant, Easter man-giant, Gentle dock, Great bistort, Osterick, Oysterloit, Passion dock, Patience dock, Patient dock, Red legs, Snakeweed, Twice-writhen, Polygonum bistorta

Genus

Persicaria Persicaria

Species

P. bistorta - P. bistorta is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial with conspicuously veined, ovate, mid-green leaves and short spikes of pale-pink or white flowers from early summer to mid-autumn.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Creeping, Erect flower stem, Mat Forming

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Colour

Foliage

Mid-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Cut the plant back after flowering has finished

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Persicaria bistorta (Common bistort) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Bog garden, Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Waterside

Cultivation

Plant in any moist soil in sun or partial shade. Likes a boggy, water edge position but P. bistorta will also tolerate dry soil.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5