About this cultivar:

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Inverleith’ is a shorter version than many other Persicarias. Although flowering like and coloured like an amplexicaulis (meaning embracing the stem) its habit reminds me of P. affinis. Perhaps because it is compact. It produces spikes of tiny pinky red flowers above a low mound of large, mid-green leaves. Great ground cover and great at the front of a border.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: July, August, September, October
• Other features: Bees and Butterflies
• Hardiness: Fully hardy, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Habit: Clump forming
• Foliage: Semi evergreen
• Height: 30 – 60 cm (1 – 2 ft)
• Spread: 45 – 75 cm (1.5 – 2.5 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: Green, red
• Goes well with: —

About this genus:

Persicaria is a genus of flowering plants in the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). Plants of the genus are known commonly as smartweeds, knotweed, fleece flower, or buckwheat. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species occurring nearly worldwide. The genus was recently segregated -so many of you old folk probably know it as Polygonum!

The genus Persicaria has many weedy species and somewhat of a bad reputation. However, as with any family, there are always some good members. We think we have found them!

Persicaria leaves are often multi-coloured and often marked with dark centers and silver chevrons. This versatile genus will most likely grow anywhere that isn’t a pond or a dark room. Other than an occasional haircut Persicaria is a low maintenance plant, that seems to look at home anywhere you plant it.