Bistort 'Superba'

A robust and dependable perennial, Persicaria bistorta 'Superba' is excellent for creating a dense, weed-suppressing carpet in moist sunny or partially shaded borders. It forms a ground-hugging mound of large, dock-like, mid-green leaves that remain lush throughout the growing season. From late spring, it sends up numerous stems topped with dense, poker-like spikes of soft, candy-pink flowers. These blooms are long-lasting and provide a vertical accent that contrasts well with its broad foliage. It is particularly well-suited to the margins of ponds or in boggy areas of the garden where other plants might fail. It is fully hardy and vigorous, spreading steadily via its rootstock without becoming unmanageably invasive. In the UK, it is a favourite for cottage garden styles and is highly beneficial for pollinators. It requires very little maintenance other than removing spent flower spikes to encourage a potential second flush.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist to boggy soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.