Only a short entry today – late-night database upgrades and inventory week mean little time for anything else.
While in the garden yesterday photographing plants for the inventory, I overheard a visitor point to this plant (in a different bed without the yellow irises behind it) and say, “Now this I don't care for.” Fair enough, I didn't admire it when I first started at the garden six years ago either. It's interesting, though, to see what familiarity breeds, and in this instance it is the opposite of contempt. 'Superba' bistort has been a reliable, durable plant that requires little maintenance and flowers for a long time – qualities that one can't “see” with a first impression.
You can read a bit more about Persicaria bistorta 'Superba' on the BBC Gardening web site.
Gardening / conservation resource link: The Canadian Museum of Nature's Native Plant Crossroads contains information on gardening with native plants and how it can help plant conservation.
It is also very hardy, enduring Calgary's harsh climate.
It likes to colonize and spread though, so beware - here today, everywhere tomorrow.
I love this plant for its burgundy fall foliage...other than that, I don't care for it either. I've reduced it to a small patch, from its former 'everywhere tomorrow' status, as Ken so eloquently put it!
I'm not familiar with 'Superba' bistort, but when I first saw this photograph, I was very impressed. I'll have to look for this plant and see if it lives up to my first impression from the photograph, or if I, too, will decide that I don't care for it!
A closer macro would be interesting. Thank you for this one!
I have one plant and want more, I haven't had trouble with it spreading, spikes stay forever and are a pretty pink. We live in Spokane Wa and am finding it hard to locate more. If anyone knows were I can find more, please let me know. thanks Ev