Persicaria microcephala 'Purple Fantasy'
knotweed 'Purple Fantasy'
'Purple Fantasy' is a perennial plant with low mounds of upright stems, creeping vigorously from stout rhizomes. Triangular leaves emerge maroon-purple in spring, turning green and developing purple markings, with leaf undersides tinged pink; these are held on short winged stalks. Tiny pink or white flowers in 1cm pompoms bloom in profusion and are borne on stem tips of slender stems to 60cm high from midsummer to autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink White | Green Purple Pink | ||
| Autumn | Pink White | Green Purple Pink | ||
| Winter | Purple Bronze |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- 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
Persicaria can be annuals, herbaceous or evergreen perennials or sub-shrubs with simple leaves and small bell-shaped white or pink flowers in long-lasting spikes or panicles
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist soil in sun or part-shade. Dense groundcover, may be invasive and needs space to spread so careful siting is necessary
Propagation
Propagate by stem tip cuttings of non flowering shoots or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
Cut back in autumn
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.