Pretty, Painted, Persicarias!

Spring is almost here and I am starting to daydream already of the new plants we will have for this year. I am also looking forward to the return of my favorite perennials after their winter slumber, gracing our garden again with their lovely presence. And one of these perennials I'm looking forward to seeing again are the Persicarias.
Persicarias, persicarias! They are definitely one of my favorite group of plants in the garden. There are different types of course, with different habits and appearances but the ones with beautifully marked and patterned foliage I am particularly fond of.

Persicaria sp. Kunming

As a mainly 'foliage' gardener, I am always on the lookout for plants with unique leaves that can add interest to the garden especially along side other foliage plants. And those with unique leaf markings, pattern, and colours are most appreciated as they can help add a different dimension to the planting scheme.
In an exotic garden like ours, warm, bright, and contrasting foliage color are essential in helping to imbibe that 'tropical feel' in certain parts of the garden. We can use lots of tender annuals of course for that injection of color and contrast but it's more fun to cheat by using plants that are perfectly hardy, and yet can give much the same look as these tender exotics would.
Persicarias with marked, variegated, patterned, and colourful leaves certainly fits the bill! As the title of this blog suggests, some of them look like their leaves have been painted on, or rather stencilled with a regular pattern, or even randomly splashed away with creamy coloured paint. All done by mother nature of course, and for me all very pretty.
Here are some of the foliage persicarias that we grow in our garden:
Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'
This is possibly the most popular of all the foliage persicarias and is available on most garden centres in the UK. The rich color of the leaves that vary in shade and intensity throughout the growing season makes it so popular amongst gardeners. And it's versatile too, associating well with other plants and various other planting schemes. I've heard comments that this plant can be too vigorous on milder parts of the country but for most gardeners this a well behaved, clumping plant that is easy enough to keep under control if it ever outgrows its space.

Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'

Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis
If I have to choose among this group which one is my favorite it will have to be this one. The leaves are on the large side for a persicaria, fresh green with a slight sheen to the surface. Its best feature though is the uniform, deep maroon chevron marking that are consistent on each individual leaf which makes it a colourful and elegant plant for the garden. It has remained a tight clump in our garden, unfussy in its growing requirements but performs better in full sun to dappled shade where it grows to a reasonable size. Site it where it will make a good contrast or complement to other foliage plants, but also within good view so you can appreciate its beautiful leaf markings. Highly recommended!

Persicaria virginiana var. filiformis

Persicaria capitata
A trailing and scrambling persicaria with small, chevron marked leaves with pink flowers sent out in succession all summer long. It can be used as a ground cover or on pots and hanging baskets where its trailing nature can be appreciated as it hangs out onto the sides of it's container. This can be invasive in favourable and milder locations (like in West Cornwall and Madeira) but in our garden it remains a tight clump and is not vigorous. So far it's more of a minor nuisance in the greenhouse as it self seeds on neighbouring pots but is never a problem outside here.

Persicaria capitata

Persicaria virginiana 'Variegata'
I can almost hear gardeners out there who hate variegated plants scream in anguish at the sight of this but for me I think it is lovely with it's random, cream variegated patterned leaves. It needs to be sited on a bright spot that gets indirect sun to prevent the creamy parts from scorching but at the same time appreciate the brightness of this plant. It also performs just as well planted in shade where it seems to illuminate its own spot. A tight clumper in our garden.

Persicaria virginiana 'Variegata'

Persicaria sp. Kunming
One of the most, if not the most colourful persicaria you can plant in your garden. The intensity of its color and markings changes dramatically throughout the season, coming up very intense pink in the spring which lasts for a couple of weeks before toning down to apple green with pink leaf margins and stems in late spring. By early summer the colours and markings intensify again but looking more purple than pink with an attractive gradient, and by midsummer onwards the color tones down again to apple green but not losing its chevron marking. It also liberally sends out dainty flowers but they are barely noticeable on top of such attractive foliage.
For all it’s beauty do site this plant carefully as it can be rampant and can quickly cover a sizeable area in no time at all, which makes it a great ground cover plant if ever you need one. Even with its vigour I find it easy enough to control by severing and removing wandering rhizomes in the autumn which are fortunately superficial and easy to pull out. Make sure you bin all of the cuttings rather than composting them to prevent unwanted spread. Or you can always just keep it in a pot which will definitely restrict its spread.

New growth in the spring is very bright, almost fluorescent pink..

By late spring the pink color becomes less intense and pattern less marked

And by midsummer the pattern becomes intense again, this time more maroon/purple with a gradient of color to the leaves. Lovely!

Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette'
A very colourful and bright persicaria that combines the variegation pattern 'Variegata' with the maroon chevron marking of Filiformis. You may or may not like this plant for the multitude of color on its foliage but it certainly does brighten up its spot and adds splashes of color to any border. This is a popular plant that is often used in cottage style gardens as a contrast to other flowering perennials, and in exotic style gardens for it colourful foliage and exotic appearance.

Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette'

Persicaria runcinata
This is a new one for us and I have yet to try it outside but I’m confident it will be hardy enough for our location. I’ve been after this persicaria for quite some time now after seeing it on various websites based in continental Europe but it seems to be more widely available there than in the UK as I yet to find a source here. Fortunately we were sent several rooted cuttings by a friend from Holland and I’m looking forward to planting this out in the garden. Originating from high altitude parts of Nepal, it’s been reported that this can be invasive on milder areas but can remain clumping elsewhere. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how it will perform in our garden!

Persicaria runcinata

Persicaria virginiana 'Compton's Form'
This looks similar to 'Red Dragon' but has bigger, longer leaves and the foliage color is more brown than purple. Some say that this is more elegant than Red Dragon but to me they look different enough to have their own individual merits. With its bigger foliage and deeper color it can look very dramatic in contrast with other plants. Site in full sun for a deeper brown color.

Persicaria virginiana 'Compton's Form'

The Other Persicarias...
Persicarias belong to the Knotweed family which means they are related to the dreaded Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica). This is a noxious and pernicious weed in the UK that is difficult to get rid off once it makes an appearance in your garden or property. It was introduced by the Victorians for it's beautiful foliage and architectural form. But in the absence of it's natural predator here and having a more favourable environment it has become rampant, colonising large areas in a short amount of time. There are laws and restriction now when it comes to the handling and management of this plant that is the bane of many gardeners.
But if you wish to walk on the more dangerous side, there are 'tamer' versions of this rather pretty weed...
Fallopia japonica 'Milk Boy'
A small growing, variegated form of the Japanese Knotweed that only grows up to 18 inches tall. The first flush of leaves in the spring is almost pure white with a pink blush and can stay like that for a week or so before green flecks gradually appear on the previously pure white leaves. Subsequent flushes are variegated green and white with random patterns. Because of the intensity of variegation it is best sited from dappled to full shade and keep an eye on slugs and snails which seems to adore devouring this (seemingly) delicate plant.

Fallopia japonica 'Milk Boy'

Almost pure white with a pink blush in the spring

Fallopia japonica 'Variegata'
This is the variegated form of the Japanese Knotweed hence the height and stature is pretty much the same as the plain green plant. However, most likely because of the variegation, it is not as vigorous and remains much, much tamer than its notorious sibling. The pattern of variegation on the leaves are not consistent and varies from leaf to leaf and can change appearance again throughout the growing season. The first flush of growth in the spring are tinged pink which gradually fades and you are left with white and green leaves. Once again, this is best sited in dappled to full shade to prevent scorching.

Fallopia japonica 'Variegata'

The two plants above are rarities that appeal more to plant collectors and is best handled only by experienced gardeners who are able to keep an eye on them if they ever start to run (and can deal with it accordingly). And if you ever get hold of one they are best kept in pots just to be sure and they don't seem to mind it as long as they are not allowed to dry out.
Pretty, painted, persicarias! If you are thinking of getting new plants for the coming season that will add extra interest to your planting scheme then some of these are worth considering. And most of them are not difficult to get hold of. Chances are, you may even have one or two already!
Mark :-)