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BogsHerbaceous Perennial

Bistorta amplexicaulis

red bistort

A robust, clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial with pointed, slightly puckered, oval, mid-green leaves, to 25cm long. Long-stalked narrow spikes, to 10cm long, of narrowly bell-shaped, bright-red to purple or white flowers, are borne from midsummer to early autumn. To 1.2m high and wide

Synonyms

Polygonum amplexicaule
Persicaria amplexicaulis oxyphylla
see morePersicaria amplexicaulis

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–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: Polygonaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous or Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Contact with all parts may irritate skin, the sap may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: A genus of herbaceous, rhizomatous perennials with erect, unbranched stems, bearing short terminal spikes of small, white or pink, bell-shaped flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Himalaya

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Substantial mounds of foliage steadily increase in size, needing space and careful siting

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn or propagate by seed in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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