Persicaria affinis 'Darjeeling Red' is a resilient, mat-forming perennial that captivates gardeners with its stunning foliage and enduring flower spikes. This particular variety excels in providing robust ground cover, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their gardens with seasonal interest. Its naturalistic appearance fits seamlessly into informal planting schemes, where it can thrive and flourish, adding both beauty and functionality to the landscape.
The plant produces dense clusters of small, vibrant flowers that start as a rich deep pink to red, gradually softening to a paler pink as they mature. This blooming period extends from midsummer through autumn, ensuring a prolonged display of color that enlivens the garden during the warmer months. In addition to its floral appeal, 'Darjeeling Red' forms a lush carpet of dark green leaves, which transition to striking red and bronze hues in the autumn and winter, further enhancing its visual interest throughout the seasons.
Known for its low-maintenance nature, this perennial is easy to cultivate, requiring little more than occasional division to keep it vigorous and healthy. It thrives in a variety of soil types, including heavier clay soils, provided they are well-drained and not waterlogged. Preferring full sun or partial shade, 'Darjeeling Red' is particularly effective for front-of-border plantings, on slopes, or as an underplanting for shrubs. Its dense growth habit also makes it an excellent choice for suppressing weeds, making it a practical addition to any garden in the UK, even in cooler regions. Height: 25 cm (10 in) Spread: 90 cm (35 in)
Growing Information
Persicaria prefers a fertile moist soil, but once established, will happily tolerate most conditions from boggy soils and pond margins to drier conditions. Plant Bistort in sun or semi shade.
