Bistorta officinalis 'Superba'

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red bistort 'Superba'

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red bistort 'Superba' RHS
red bistort 'Superba' RHS
red bistort 'Superba' RHS

Synonyms

Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'
Polygonum bistorta 'Superbum'

Award of Garden Merit
Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous, clump-forming herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial to 95cm, with strongly veined, finely pointed ovate leaves. Dense spikes of small, fat, long-flowering soft grey-pink flowers appear in summer through to autumn. Tends to spread more easily in sunny locations, less so in dry shade. Good for waterside, smaller gardens and at the front of a flower border

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Polygonaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Ideal for a moist soil although it can tolerate some dryness (with more of a wandering habit in dry shade). Suitable for full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required. Deadhead faded spikes

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free