See our main section 'Persicaria' for general details. This selection prefer a shadier spot, with some being in our Woodland Garden and others under trees in our main herbaceous beds. Typically the flowers are less showy than the typical persicarias, although those of P. campanulata are exceptionally charming. However it the range foliage colour and patterns which make this shady range stand out.
Irrespective of the vagaries of scientific nomenclature and taxonomy, all Persicaria species, past and present are some of the most important genera to have in a wildlife garden (indeed, ANY garden). They produce nectar and pollen throughout their long flowering season, attracting honeybees, social wasps, butterflies and a host of other insects especially in the summer and early autumn. The leaves are relatively palatable also, and are eaten by the caterpillars of a number of generalist moths.
The genus Persicaria is under going revision, with some plants moved to the genera Bistorta and Koenigia. Some of these Persicaria have also previously been known as Polygonum or Tovara.