Bistorta 'Pink Elephant'![RHS AGM](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS-AGM--Small-Vert__web.svg)
bistort 'Pink Elephant'
A unique, compact, vigorous clump-forming semi-evergreen perennial to 65cm with narrow, leathery dark green foliage. Long thin spikes of small, bell-shaped pink flowers which bend like a wavy trunk, appear above the foliage from mid-summer through until the autumn. Whilst vigorous, this particular variety of Persicaria is not a nuisance in gardens like some varieties may be. Suitable for containers in a lightly shaded, cool area of the garden, for smaller gardens or at the front of a flower border
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Pink | Green | ||
Autumn | Pink | Green | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist soil in sun or part-shade See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards for further information about RHS plant trials and awards
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required. 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.