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Herbaceous Perennial

Persicaria wallichii var. pubescens

A vigorous, herbaceous perennial to 1.5m or more tall, producing dense clumps of stems clothed with pointed, lance-shaped leaves. Produces branched sprays of small, creamy-white, strongly scented flowers in late summer and early autumn. This plant is considered invasive in the Republic of Ireland, and legal requirements apply to its control

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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

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

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
Habit: Clump forming
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

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act (in the Republic of Ireland) as an invasive, non-native species. While this does not prevent it from being sold in the UK, or from being grown in gardens, the RHS encourages those that do grow it to take great care with managing it and with disposing of unwanted material. The RHS also encourages gardeners to find alternative plants to grow to those listed on Schedule 9. For suggested alternative plants see the Plantlife/RHS guide: Gardening without harmful invasive plants.

Propagation

Reproduces primarily by division; plants can reproduce from tiny fragments of rhizome

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut stems to the ground at the end of the season. Retain all plant material within the garden to prevent escape into the wild

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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