Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'PBR

RHS Plant Profile
knotweed 'Red Dragon'

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knotweed 'Red Dragon' visionspictures.com
knotweed 'Red Dragon' visionspictures.com

Synonyms

Persicaria 'Red Dragon'
Polygonum 'Red Dragon'
Persicaria virginiana 'Red Dragon'

Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Polygonaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards for further information about RHS plant trials and awards

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