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Herbaceous Perennial

Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'^PBR

knotweed 'Red Dragon'

A vigorous, perennial to 1.1m with bright young foliage, lance-shapedand purplish-green with a bold central splash of purple, bordered by a silver chevron marking. Tiny, rounded clusters of tiny white flowers appear in late summer and autumn. Although vigorous, does not spread. Suitable as a foliage plant in the middle of a shady flower border

Synonyms

Persicaria 'Red Dragon'
Polygonum 'Red Dragon'
see morePersicaria virginiana 'Red Dragon'

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–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 the UK: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Trailing
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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist soil in sun or part-shade. Dense groundcover, spreading less quickly than the species

Propagation

Propagate by stem tip cuttings or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required. Cut back in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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