Persicaria amplexicaulis
‘Firetail’
‘Firetail’ mountain fleeceflower
polygonaceae
Slim spikes of tiny crimson-red flowers;
lance-shaped, leathery green leaves
3–4 ft. high; 3–4 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms July–October
Zones 4–7
pruning ‘Firetail’ mountain fleece-
flower is grown for its long-blooming
flowers and not for its nondescript,
rather coarse foliage. Deadheading
and occasional deadleafing will help to
keep this hardworking perennial
looking thrifty. If plants are beyond
help (dry soil and Japanese beetles can
take their toll), cut them to the ground
and they’ll rebound with fresh foliage
and flowers, blooming until frost.
Plants collapse after a few freezes, so
cut them down for the winter in late
fall.
other maintenance Like most
other Persicaria species, mountain
fleeceflower is adaptable, but does best
in consistently moist soil in full sun or
dappled shade. It’s a strong grower but
isn’t considered invasive or weedy.
Japanese beetles may be troublesome
in some areas. Divide clumps every
few years in spring or fall to maintain
vigor.
related plantS Persicaria amplexi-
caulis ‘Golden Arrow’ (2–3 ft. tall and
wide) has deep crimson flowers spikes
over chartreuse foliage. Persicaria
affinis, Himalayan fleeceflower (zones
3–7), forms a low, weed-smothering
mat that stands less than 1 ft. tall. Its
flower spikes are deep pink in bud,
opening to pale pink, and last from late
June through September. The foliage
turns red in fall, eventually becoming a
not unattractive red-brown and
persisting through the winter. It
prefers cool-summer climates. Cut
plants back in early spring. Persicaria
affinis is most often represented by the
selection ‘Superba’, a.k.a. ‘Dimity’.Persicaria virginiana
‘Painter’s Palette’
‘Painter’s Palette’ knotweed
polygonaceaeAiry wands of miniscule red flowers;
cream-splashed green leaves with maroon
chevrons
18–24 in. high; 18–24 in. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms August–October
Zones 4–8
pruning This variety of our native
knotweed is grown primarily for its
colorful foliage. Remove the
late-blooming flower spikes to prevent
unwanted seedlings. ‘Painter’s Palette’
comes true from seed, and volunteers
are welcomed in most gardens, but
seedlings can become excessive in
others. Cut plants to the ground inPersicaria amplexicaulis
‘Firetail’