About
Bistorta affinis is a herbaceous perennial that forms a dense mat, reaching a height of approximately 25 cm. Its leaves are dark green, ranging from elliptic to lanceolate, and measure between 5 to 15 cm in length. As autumn approaches, these leaves transition to a red-bronze hue. From midsummer through mid-autumn, it produces flower spikes that are 5 to 8 cm long, featuring small flowers that start as a vivid reddish-pink, gradually fading to pale pink, and eventually browning by winter. This plant serves as an effective ground cover option.
About the genus
This genus consists of herbaceous perennials that grow from rhizomes, featuring upright, unbranched stems. At the top of these stems are short spikes adorned with small, bell-shaped flowers that can be white or pink in color.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Himalaya
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by division in spring or autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free