About this cultivar:
Persicaria 'Pink Elephant' is a 2012 introduction from Chris Ghyselen in Belgium. Over the years, Chris has bred a number of top varieties, such as: Dikke Floske (dim red); Red Baron (bright dark red); Taurus (fire red); Etna (darkred); Blackfield (black red); Orange Field (orange pink); Fat Domino; and White Eastfield(white). He says 'Pink Elephant' is a cross between the amplexicaulis species and another one – but he won’t say which one! In any case this is a compact selection, with bottlebrush spikes in a pleasing warm shade of pink. We find it flowers for a long time and late into winter (see photo).
- Position: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
- Flowers: July, August, September, October
- Other features: Bees and Butterflies
- Hardiness: Fully hardy, grows well in Ballyrobert
- Habit: Clump forming
- Foliage: Semi evergreen
- Height: 30 - 60 cm (1 - 2 ft)
- Spread: 45 - 75 cm (1.5 - 2.5 ft)
- Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
- Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Colour: Green, red, pink
- Goes well with: --
About this genus:
Persicaria is a genus of flowering plants in the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). Plants of the genus are known commonly as smartweeds, knotweed, fleece flower, or buckwheat. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species occurring nearly worldwide. The genus was recently segregated -so many of you old folk probably know it as Polygonum!
The genus Persicaria has many weedy species and somewhat of a bad reputation. However, as with any family, there are always some good members. We think we have found them!
Persicaria leaves are often multi-coloured and often marked with dark centers and silver chevrons. This versatile genus will most likely grow anywhere that isn't a pond or a dark room. Other than an occasional haircut Persicaria is a low maintenance plant, that seems to look at home anywhere you plant it.