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AquaticBogsHerbaceous Perennial

Houttuynia cordata 'Pied Piper' (v)

A wide-spreading herbaceous perennial to 30cm in height, with fragrant leaves splashed and margined in tones of red, orange and yellow on a green background. Dense spikes of small white flowers appear in late spring

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Saururaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Houttuynia are rhizomatous perennials with pungently orange-scented, heart-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers in spikes with usually 4 prominent white bracts at the base
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Tolerant of a range of soils from dry to wet in sun or shade. Can be prone to extensive spreading, especially in wet soils, by underground stems and therefore has the potential to become a nuisance. Ideal for containers where its spread can be restricted. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or take semi-ripe cuttings of young basal shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Ground cover

Pruning

Divide regularly to limit spread

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.