The Well-Tended Perennial Garden The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

May or early June. Tough to establish,

but once it takes hold ‘Ivorine’ even

seeds itself a bit if not deadheaded.

Aconogonum

‘Johanniswolke’

(syn. Persicaria polymorpha,

Polygonum polymorphum)

white fleeceflower

polygonaceae

Large fluffy panicles of tiny

white flowers that age to dusty pink;

lance-shaped green leaves

4–6 ft. high; 4–5 ft. wide

Full sun–light shade

Blooms June–September

Zones 4–8

pruning White fleeceflower blooms

most of the summer without dead-

heading, the inflorescences remaining

attractive into fall, when they turn a

tawny pink color. Where winters aren’t

too punishing, plants may continue to

supply some structural interest into

December and January. Reseeding isn’t

an issue, so there’s no hurry to remove

the spent flowers. Cut plants to the

ground any time before growth

resumes in early spring. Height may

be reduced and bloom time delayed by

cutting plants back by half in early

summer when they reach 2–3 ft.,

though this shrublike perennial

becomes truly spectacular when

allowed to reach its full 6-ft. potential.

related plantS ‘Johanniswolke’ is

an adaptable plant but needs protec-

tion from wind. It requires only full

sun and average soil for a stellar

performance, and possesses some

drought tolerance, but is better in

moist soils. Staking shouldn’t be

necessary. Unlike some of its Persicaria

kin, this selection is noninvasive,

though it does fill in quickly and makes

a substantial clump by its 2nd year.

Aconogonum

‘Johanniswolke’