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Persicaria polymorpha (Giant fleeceflower)

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Plant Delights

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Persicaria polymorpha per-sih-KAR-ee-ah pol-ee-MOR-fah

Common Name: Giant fleeceflower Synonyms: Bistorta polymorpha, Polygonum polymorpha Genus: Persicaria

This massive herbaceous shrub needs a lot of room to show off its vase-shaped form, but it does not spread or self-sow like some of its relatives. It blooms close to the ground from June and continues throughout the summer atop 6-foot-tall stems. The large, white, astilbe-like blossoms fade to pink and then reddish-brown as the season comes to a close.
Noteworthy characteristics: Persicaria are rhizomatous or stoloniferous plants that are spreading and sometimes invasive. They have fleshy stems and conspicuously veined leaves, some of which exhibit autumn color. Many are suitable in a mixed container or border, others naturalized in a woodland or meadow. All plant parts may cause skin irritation on contact and stomach upset if ingested.
Care: It prefers moist soil but can tolerate some shade and dry conditions.
Propagation: Divide in spring or fall. Sow seed in spring in a cold frame.
Problems: Aphids, Japanese beetles, slugs, snails.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread	6 ft. to 10 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Growth Pace	Fast Grower
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Adaptable
Maintenance	Low
Tolerance	Frost Tolerant
Characteristics	Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Showy Flowers; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	White Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point, Waterside
Style	Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest	Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by ckmama2004
4/27/2008
Region: Northeast
Zone: 6

I bought this plant 4 years ago because I thought it looked interesting. It quickly became one of my favorite plants of all time and one I would not do without. It is slow to emerge in the spring but seems to grow in leaps and bounds overnight once it gets going. It has the most beautiful white plumes and they last and last all summer long. Even when they start to fade, they are are still gorgeous. I love tall plants and this one fits the bill if you want something tall and bushy as well as low maintenance. I leave the stems intact over the winter and when I cut them down in the spring, they are hollow and super easy to cut back. This is a non-invastive Persicaria, mine has not seeded at all (although I wouldn't mind if it did). Very easy, lovely plant, recommend to everyone I know.

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