About
Bistorta affinis 'Donald Lowndes' is a low-growing perennial that forms a mat, reaching up to 20 cm in height. It features dark green, narrow elliptical leaves that develop a bronze hue in the fall. From summer through autumn, upright spikes bear small pink blooms that gradually transition to an orange-brown shade as they mature.
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
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade See for further information about RHS plant trials and awards
- Pruning
- Deadhead faded spikes
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring or autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free